This phenomenological study examined the understanding and perception of the lived experiences of 10 Menominee Native Americans living with renal disease. Nationally, the increasing incidence of diabetes and obesity and an aging population have contributed to the rise in chronic kidney disease placing the population at risk for end stage renal disease (ESRD) (National Kidney Foundation, 2012). Among all racial/ethnic groups, Native Americans (NA) have the highest rates of diabetes (12%) and obesity (39%) and the incidence of end-stage renal disease in Native Americans is twice that of Caucasians (Collier, 2013; Gao et al., 2007; Indian Health Services, 2011; Jolly et al., 2011). The primary data collections were semi-structured face-to-face interviews. The data was coded and analyzed using the modified van Kaam’s rigorous four phase psychophenomenological method. A total of 24 descriptive expressions were categorized into 8 preliminary structural elements. Four essential structural elements emerged from the eight preliminary elements: (a) fighting for normalcy, (b) chronic emotional and physical fatigue, (c) living for someone else, and (d) predetermined tribal fate. Eight of ten participants had an understanding of a predetermined tribal fate to renal disease, but the observed or familial knowledge did not influence their lived experience or change the course of their health care decisions.