In 1851, the state of California paid $93 a head to exterminate Native Americans—turning murder into government policy. But despite genocide, betrayal, and erasure, Native leaders didn’t disappear. They led. They adapted, endured, and protected their people through one of the darkest chapters in American history. In this TEDx Talk, leadership advisor Dr. Rod Wilson draws from decades of work with tribal nations to uncover the most powerful leadership lessons you were never taught—lessons forged in an era of extermination, passed down through generations, and more relevant today than ever. In a world facing disruption—from AI to misinformation—these timeless lessons are exactly what leaders need now. Walk away with a new understanding of what leadership really means—and how to lead when it matters most. Rod Wilson has over 30 years of experience advising tribal nations on leadership, sovereignty, and strategic growth. He holds a Ph.D. and serves on the Advisory Board for the Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate University. He is also the author of The Native American Dream—a groundbreaking case study that documents the past three decades of tribal government transformation and the legalization of Indian gaming. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx