Physical Address
357 Agency Rd,
Lapwai, ID 83540
Air Quality Intern – Nez Perce Tribe Air Quality Program, Summer 2025
Niłdaaguté? (How are you?) Shi shiłguuzhune! (I’m doing good!) My name is Caydence Palmer, and I am a proud Mescalero Apache from Mescalero, New Mexico. I am currently a full-time honors undergraduate student at the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona, pursuing a degree in Biosystems Engineering and a minor in American Indian Studies. I am honored to have been selected as the summer 2025 intern for the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals and the Nez Perce Tribe Environmental Restoration and Waste Management Division’s Air Quality Program. I will provide outreach and education to youth and adults on the Nez Perce Reservation, connecting with public libraries, summer camps, and the Boys and Girls Clubs. This internship presents an exciting opportunity for me to do what I love most: learning and working with tribal lands and community members. It helps me stay connected with cultural awareness and appreciation.
As I continue forward with my journey, I always reflect on my roots and where I came from. As I reflect, it always brings a smile to my face to know that I come from a strong background of resilient and brilliant leaders. I am a direct descendant of the Chiricahua Apache Chief Cochise and his sons, Chief Taza, and Chief Naiche, on my grandfather’s side. On my grandmother’s side, I am a direct descendant of Chief Perico. My great-grandfather, Ignatius Palmer, was a veteran of World War II and created cultural paintings, including the Mescalero Tribe logo, which were displayed at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C.. I am the granddaughter of the late Dr. Carelton Naiche-Palmer and Ada Palmer; my grandmother is my family’s rare jewel through sacrifice and support, and my grandfather also played a strong role in my life as a past Mescalero Apache Tribal President, holding a Ph D emphasizing the importance towards education in Indigenous communities. I am the daughter of the late Scott Palmer and Joanne Hornedeagle and a sister to Hansht’aaye Evans, Jewel Palmer, Justice Blake, and Uriah Hornedeagle. My family roots continue to remind me of the beauty of perseverance and strength.
My high school experience provided me with a strong foundation in both engineering and community involvement. I was able to take college courses in engineering, wind energy, nursing, and fire science. My involvement with the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) program helped me break out of my shell by participating in events that little me would never have imagined. Spending the majority of my time working on various tasks, including drones, robotics, science projects, public speaking, and outreach, has provided me with numerous learning opportunities through hands-on experiences and established connections. The experiences I gained helped me secure a documentary opportunity with GLOBE Agents of Change and, shortly after, an internship at NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration). I graduated as valedictorian of the Mescalero Apache High School class of 2024 and was accepted into the Franke Honors College at the University of Arizona. To fulfill my plans of giving back to my community, I decided to attend college out of state to expand my education and discover new learning experiences that will help me grow as a future leader and as a person.
Attending college, living and learning in a new environment and being away from both friends and family, was an adjustment for me. I was able to adapt by seizing opportunities and taking responsibility. If I were to provide advice, it would be to stay positive and take advantage of every opportunity or resource that comes your way. As a college freshman, I thought my journey was complete when I encountered obstacles. Still, then, I had the opportunity to participate in a program called EMPOWER, where I shared my personal story with local Tucson schools and encouraged students from diverse minority backgrounds to pursue engineering. I was also able to create a memorable experience being a Native American student in honors. I was chosen to travel to Nogales, Mexico, to develop Indigenous connections with college students from Mexico shortly after I was selected to be part of the Flight Across America program, which allowed me to fly over the Colorado Plateau and focus on real-world issues while meeting with local Indigenous community leaders and members. As a freshman, I also joined Phi Sigma Rho, a sorority for women in engineering with diverse backgrounds. Being involved with the sorority allowed me to create a sisterhood of women who shared an understanding of the STEM field and provided a sense of belonging. I was able to excel in my college courses, participate in clubs, and take advantage of numerous travel opportunities, all while continuing to do what I love.
Most definitely, if you were to ask me five years ago where I see myself in the future, I would have never guessed this outcome. I have faced multiple challenges, from my father passing away when I was four to once being told I would not be able to succeed in the engineering field as a female. Overall, the sky is the limit and reach for the stars. Anyone can say it’s impossible, but I love to do the impossible. I’m super excited to connect with community members and experience learning opportunities while in Idaho, and I look forward to expanding my skills and sharing my story to help inspire others. I hope to apply my experience and the knowledge I gain to help strengthen tribal environmental work across Native communities, as well as within my community.
This article was submitted by the Caydence Palmer.
All views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by the author are solely that of the author and do not reflect the views, opinions, policies, or position of the Nez Perce Tribe or its Communications Department.
