For freshman student Riata Palmer, the University of Nevada, Reno’s 2025-2026 Powwow Princess, royalty and higher education weren't always part of the plan.  

Growing up in Fort McDermit on the Nevada-Oregon border, Palmer’s graduating senior class consisted of three students. Palmer said higher education was not a common route for residents of her town. Having a passion for informing people about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) and making a difference for the native community, Palmer decided to pursue a degree in social work at the University.  

When Palmer arrived in the fall Director of Indigenous Relations Daphne Emm Hooper encouraged Palmer to enter the University of Nevada, Reno’s 2025-2026 Powwow pageant. The pageant is hosted by the Native American Alumni Chapter and gives students a platform to share their American Indian culture and heritage on campus through traditional events and athletic activities. This inspired Palmer because she already knew she wanted to use the platform to advocate.  

Palmer had to sell 1,000 tickets to qualify as a contestant. “I am from a town that has less than 1,000 people, but I was determined,” Palmer said.  

During the pageant, contestants are required to showcase a talent. While most contestants went the traditional route by singing or dancing, Palmer paved her own way by reading a piece she wrote about colorism and her experiences as a lighter-skinned Native woman. 

The crowd lit up as people from all backgrounds connected with her words instantly. Competing for the crown, Palmer used this performance as the first step to advocate for her community.   

“People came up to me afterward and said they’d never related to something more,” Palmer said. 

Being crowned Powwow Princess was just the beginning. Palmer hopes to one day compete for “Miss Nations,” a national pageant, that her family has encouraged her to do ever since she was five.  

“Once I won, my community saw and understood what I was doing, and I felt so much support. It means a lot to represent my people,” Palmer said.  

Photo by Makayla Mirth.

Now as the official Powwow Princess, Palmer is bringing light to issues affecting Indigenous communities. Among them is Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW), a movement she says many have never heard of.  

“Every day, Indigenous women go missing, and nothing’s done about it,” Palmer said.  

She also advocates for the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), which aims to keep Native children with Native families in foster care.  

“Our language, culture and practices are being lost when children are placed in non-Native homes,” Palmer continues. “That’s something I want to change.”  

At the University, Palmer is adjusting to campus life while settling into her role as princess. Despite the huge shift, Palmer says her crown gives her a platform to inspire others and to spark curiosity among non-Native peers. 

“Even just walking across campus in regalia, I get stares,” Palmer said. “But I always tell people, 'we’ll welcome you in, share knowledge, teach traditions.' Native people are about inclusion — we want to talk about our culture!” 

This fall, Palmer will carry her tribal flag during the University’s Tribal Recognition football game on Oct. 11, proudly representing Fort McDermitt as the only student from her community currently attending the University.