This research project grew out of the author's desire to address and transform her experience as a Black, female teacher educator in a White settler province and country. Along with self-study methodology, the author uses critical race theory and feminist post-structural theory to analyze the construction of her racial identity and relations of power in a White settler society.The author concludes that empathy, validation and acceptance from colleagues have buoyed her confidence as she searches for ways to narrow the racial and cultural divide between self and other in order to build collaborative relationships with students. Three important tools that have proved highly effective are critical race theory, critical pedagogy, and feminist post-structuralist theory.