Many Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students enter graduate studies dedicated toworking with Aboriginal communities. Many of these students encounter what seemto be insurmountable financial, geographic, racist, and cultural barriers. Fortunately,these students are determined to work with Aboriginal communities and overcomemost barriers. Students attending the National Gathering of Graduate Students haveidentified several strategies to prevail over barriers. We identify the barriers andstrategies so that students, mentors, faculty, and staff can improve the experience ofgraduate education.