“It’s been great to have a team that’s not afraid to let me share my opinion, share my identity. I feel like in this space, I’ve been proud of who I am.”
So remarked Celeste Lucero, a USDA Tribal Policy Intern working with USDA Rural Development’s Tribal Relations team this summer. Lucero is one of 14 undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate students participating in this historic new program that aims to develop a new generation of agricultural professionals with a better understanding of Tribal food and agriculture issues. Through the Future Leaders in Public Service Internship Program, students are working on USDA agriculture, food, and nutrition programs that benefit Indian Country. The program is sponsored by USDA’s Office of Tribal Relations.
This spring, Lucero graduated from the University of New Mexico with degrees in environmental science and economics. She will continue her studies with a master’s in economics. She is a member of the Pueblo of Isleta in New Mexico, as well as Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians in North Dakota.
Before she even started her 10-week internship at Rural Development, “my boss [Tedd Buelow] and the team asked “what do you want to get out of this internship?” With her team’s guidance, Lucero is writing a white paper for the Water and Environmental Program on water rights and accessibility for the Miccosukee Tribe near Miami, Florida.
Lucero’s Pueblo of Isleta affiliation gives her a unique perspective on her project. “The protection of our rights and recognition of our sovereignty can be traced back to Queen Isabella I of Castile’s will of 1504. Our sovereignty was protected throughout the Spanish reign through laws within the Recopilación de Indias. When New Mexico became part of the United States, our rights [including water rights] were preserved. Our rights are much different than other Tribes.” she remarked.
A big takeaway from this summer is the importance of representation. “Diversity in these fields is important,” she stated. “For example, I’ve taken some [Tribal] trainings, and suggested to my teammates that they could be improved with more regional Tribal information.”
Learning about the breadth of USDA resources was also an eye opener. “I’ve also learned how Tribes like mine are able to get USDA funding for projects, Lucero noted. There is a whole new world of resources that hopefully I'll be able to bring that back to my own people.”
Lucero’s advice for other interns? “Find your community, whether in or outside of the workplace. And get to know your colleagues and supervisor. They know these policies and programs front to back. USDA has a lot to offer.”
Learn more about USDA internship programs at www.usda.gov/youth/career.