About the NRPA Annual Conference

At NRPA, we are taking a thoughtful and action-oriented approach to land acknowledgements at our events. We recognize that land acknowledgements can be a meaningful way to honor the Indigenous peoples who have nurtured — and continue to care for — the lands where we gather. We also believe they are most meaningful when they are offered with humility, grounded in learning, and connected to ongoing support for Indigenous communities.

That perspective is shaped by NRPA’s broader role in supporting approximately 10,000 local park and recreation agencies nationwide. These agencies serve more than 270 million people each year through parks, recreation centers, youth sports, environmental initiatives, wellness programming, and community-based services — including Indigenous people, communities, and nations.

In keeping with this commitment, NRPA is pairing acknowledgement with tangible support. Beginning with the 2027 NRPA Annual Conference in Houston, NRPA will support the attendance of up to five Indigenous professionals each year by covering full conference registration, lodging, airfare and ground transportation.

We understand that this step cannot undo past harms or fully address the ongoing impacts Indigenous communities have experienced. With this small step, we commit to supporting access, well-being and environmental resilience in Indigenous communities. Should you have questions please send an email message to access@nrpa.org.