1.    Oratory: A 5-15 minute speech that advocates ways of thinking, belief systems, or an attitude toward specific issues related to Alaska Native, American Indians or indigenous cultures. The speaker may use limited notes or deliver it from memory. Oratory topics may include, but are not limited to subsistence, sovereignty, urban/rural conflicts, bilingualism, religious freedom, education, or traditional values. Speeches must make strong use of supporting materials such as elders’ teachings, cultural lore, and public record (magazines, newspapers, Internet, etc.). Sources should be clearly cited during the speech and included on notes or in a manuscript must be made available to contest officials prior to the competition.

2.    Dramatic Declamation: A 5-15 minute interpretive reading or recitation of an historic Alaska Native, American Indian or Indigenous cultural speech or persuasive document. Speakers are encouraged to give impressions of the document’s author through costume, movement, and/or delivery. Cutting and presentation of the material should accurately convey the author’s intent. The declamation will be preceded by introductory remarks meant to establish a theme, demonstrate understanding of the material, and state the author and title of the work. The introduction is part of the timed presentation. The original speech text will be published, recorded or transcribed and the introductory remarks and declamation text itself must be made available to contest officials prior to the competition.

3.    Storytelling: A 5-15 minute recitation of one or more Native American or Indigenous cultural stories. The speaker may use limited notes, but special consideration will be given to those students who deliver memorized or extemporaneous speeches. The story(ies) must be published, recorded, or transcribed with permission from the author, clan, elder, or tribe when appropriate, or photocopied from a book accompanied by the cover page. The story(ies) should be preceded by introductory remarks meant to establish a theme, demonstrate understanding of the material, and state the author and title of the work. The introduction is part of the timed presentation. If more than one story is presented, the speaker will provide a transition between literary works to show thematic interrelationship(s). Aspects of theater may be incorporated, such as interpretation of 2 or more characters, appropriate costuming, limited props, and dramatic movement (blocking). The original story text will be published, recorded or transcribed and must be made available to contest officials prior to the competition.

4.    Native Language: There are two ways to enter a speech in Native Languages. (1) Students are invited to employ a Native Language in any of the preceding three events.. In other words, you need not construct a separate speech employing a native language, you simply incorporate a native language into the 5-10 minute presentation(s) you are already using in the contest. (2) you can write a  speech specifically for this category. A significant portion of the speech must be in the Native Language. The registration form has a space for students to indicate that they wish their presentation to be considered by a panel of judges skilled in Native languages. Students entering this category must register by the early Native Language deadline. This gives us time to find judges in each language entered in the competition.
 

Four or more students must enter a category in order for us to award first, second and third place full dollar amounts in the AkNOS Regional and AkNOS Statewide Competitions (see the Regional and Statewide Competition details for cash prize amounts). In events with only three entries, the top two speakers will be awarded prize money, with first place speaker receiving the 2nd place dollar amount and the second place speaker receiving the 3rd place dollar amount. In events with only two entries, the top speaker will be awarded the third place dollar amount. In the event that only one student enters a category, he or she will be awarded a $50 honorarium for their entry in the tournament.