The author was invited by a group of Aboriginal parents to conduct a study ex­ploring the conditions of schooling for their children in a specific public urban set­ ting. Taking a holistic perspective she focused her study on examining the role of parents in that system. Specifically, the research describes the process of working with Aboriginal parents as they attempt to forge a new relationship with an exist­ ing structure. Their lack of success is evident. The research aims to provide an un­derstanding about the process of change as it relates to Aboriginal parents and urban public school systems.