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Native American Heritage Month

    Poster Series

    Click each image below to view individual posters, or download the complete set.
    Know an alum the NSDA should feature in the future? Email us!

    Celebrate Native American Heritage Month
    WORKING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THEY ‘CAN’T’ HAS BEEN THE GREATEST PRIVILEGE. TO SEE THE IMPOSSIBLE MATERIALIZE BEFORE MY EYES, JUST BECAUSE I HAD FAITH; BECAUSE I TRUSTED IN THEM; BECAUSE I TOLD THEM WE COULD LOSE BUT NEVER YIELD; BUT MOSTLY, BECAUSE THEY BELIEVED. AS ROBERT F. KENNEDY ONCE SAID, ‘I DREAM THINGS THAT NEVER WERE AND SAY, WHY NOT?’ - Arturo Féliz-Camilo

    Arturo Féliz-Camilo

    NATIVES HAVE HISTORICALLY BEEN SOME OF THE MOST PROLIFIC SPEAKERS WHEN IT COMES TO SOCIAL JUSTICE. THROUGH SPEECH AND DEBATE, OUR YOUTH ARE NOW LEARNING THAT THEY CAN COMMAND AN AUDIENCE AND COMPEL CHANGE. AS THIS ACTIVITY BECOMES MORE ACCESSIBLE TO US, THE NSDA HAS BECOME THE THREAD CONNECTING THE TRADITIONS OF OUR PAST TO THE EVOLUTION OF OUR FUTURE IN THIS TAPESTRY OF SOCIAL GROWTH. - Deborah Garoui

    Deborah Garoui

    "I LOVE BEING ABLE TO AUTHENTICALLY DISPLAY MY CULTURE AND IDENTITY IN THIS ACTIVITY. IT TRULY SHOWS THAT PEOPLE FROM ANY BACKGROUND CAN COME TOGETHER FOR SPEECH AND DEBATE." - Aspyn Kaskalla, Navajo Preparatory School, NM - Class of 2026

    Aspyn Kaskalla

    I AM A NATURALLY CURIOUS PERSON, AND THIS ACTIVITY AFFORDED ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE THAT CURIOSITY. EVEN AT THIS STAGE OF MY LIFE, HAVING BEEN INVOLVED IN SPEECH AND DEBATE FOR A LITTLE OVER A DECADE, THERE ARE STILL THINGS THAT I’M LEARNING, AND THAT’S WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT. AS A COACH, I NOW GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE THE POWER OF WHAT THIS ACTIVITY CAN DO FOR PEOPLE WITH MY OWN STUDENTS. - John-Samqua

    John Samqua

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    More Alumni

    NSDA Poster Template

    You can make your own posters featuring current students, coaches, or alumni from your program! Download the template below and follow the instructions to start creating.

    This resource is provided under the framework of our Honor Society. We ask that you please feature individuals who live by our Code of Honor.

    Get the Template

    2024 National Tournament Land Acknowledgement

    National Speech and Debate Tournament Logo

    “As we stream the National Speech & Debate Tournament from Des Moines, Iowa, it is important for me to begin by acknowledging the Indigenous Peoples that have called Des Moines home first.” — J. Scott Wunn, NSDA Executive Director, 2021 National Tournament Opening Ceremony

    We acknowledge that our national headquarters occupies the ancestral home of the Ioway, for which Iowa is named. Des Moines is also the ancestral home of the Očhéthi Šakówiŋ, Meskwaki, Sauk, and other Indigenous Peoples that have passed through at various times. 

    We thank the Indigenous Peoples who have made essential contributions to Iowa and to speech and debate communities. 

    We recognize that our presence here today is the result of the on-going exclusions and erasure of Indigenous people. We affirm our commitment to conscientiously work to meet the needs of American Indian and Indigenous Peoples. 

    Land Acknowledgement Resources

    You can learn more about the history of the Ioway or check out the Iowa Cultural Institute.

    Learn more about the Meskwaki Nation.

    To find out more info about the land that you’re on, visit Native-Land and Whose Land.

    Learn more about Indigenous Land Acknowledgements.

    Celebrate Black History Month
    Celebrate Pride Month
    Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
    Celebrate Women's History Month
    Celebrate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities
    Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month