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Census 2000 & American Indians, Alaska Natives

According to the US Census Bureau the 1990 undercount was estimated at about 4 million people or between 1.8 to 2.1 percent overall. However, for minorities the estimated undercount was much higher - Blacks 5.1 percent: Asians 3.2 Percent; Hispanics 5.5 percent; and American Indians 5.3 (12.9 on reservations)

Challenges faced by the Indian Community to obtain a complete count:

o Reaching all Indians to encourage them to fill out the census forms

o Educating Indian community members to fill out the forms so they will be Counted as Indian

o Passage of federal legislation to insure all Indians is a part of the Indian Count.

o Constitutional mandate for the census is to apportion the United State House of Representatives

o Determine federal funding formulas

o 1990 was the first time in history that the current year's count was less accurate than the previous count

o The urban Indian 1990 undercount was far greater than the 5.3 percent reported by the census bureau In Los Angeles and Orange Counties Indian community agencies estimate the undercount at 30 to 50 percent.

o This undercount resulted in an estimated loss of 40 percent in the base funding for Indian community services.

The stakes are high for Indian communities, urban and reservation The census 2000 must do a better job of accounting for all Indian populations If it is not better, Indian communities, families, children will be big losers So how do we overcome?

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR AMERICAN INDIANS AND ALASKA NATIVES TO ANSWER THE CENSUS?
The Census affects the entire American Indian community, tribal governments, urban Indian communities, local and nationally, especially in terms of funding for programs serving American Indian families and children.

WILL I HAVE TO PROVIDE PROOF OF MY SELF-IDENTIFICATION (TRIBAL IDENTIFICATION CARD)?
The Census Bureau does not require documentation of Indian blood, so you are free to self-identify.

I AM OF MIXED BLOOD, WHAT SHOULD I DO?
If you identify as an American Indian, even if you are of mixed race, we recommend that you answer the race question as ONLY AMERICAN INDIAN. The Census form will allow you to check more than one race. However, if you check any other races, there is no guarantee that you will be counted as an American Indian. Please do not leave this section blank, or the Census Bureau may have to guess your race. If you live in a mixed household, the American Indian/Alaska Native spouse should be listed as Person Number 1 (head of household) to qualify as an American Indian household. Having a tribal enrollment number does not mean you are automatically counted by the census.

DO I NEED TO LIST THE NAME OF MY TRIBE?
Please DO NOT leave the tribe section blank, even if you are not enrolled in your tribe. Naming your tribe will help ensure that you are counted as American Indian, and it will also help your tribe and local agencies that serve American Indians for data and funding purposes. It is important to put your primary tribe first. Write in your tribe even if your tribe is not federally recognized.

I AM ALSO OF HISPANIC ORIGIN. SHOULD I LIST THIS ON THE CENSUS FORM?
We recommend that you answer NO to the Hispanic Origin question, even if you have a Hispanic surname or Hispanic origin. In the past, American Indians who answered 'yes' to the Hispanic Origin question were not counted as American Indians, but as Hispanic/Latino. Please do not leave this question blank, or the Census Bureau may guess whether or not you are Hispanic origin. Especially if you have a Hispanic surname or live in a Hispanic neighborhood they will assume the answer is yes.

IS THERE A DUE DATE FOR SUBMITTING THE CENSUS FORM?
Fill out the form and return it right away. The due date is April 1, 2000 If you do not return your form by the due date, a census worker may come door to door to ask you questions. If you do not wish to be bothered at your home, you should turn in the form on time. If you are not home or do not answer the door, the census worker may ask your neighbors to answer questions about you, including your race. This may result in incorrect data, and you may not be counted as American Indian.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I DO NOT ANSWER ALL OF THE QUESTIONS (LEAVE ANSWERS BLANK)?
Do not leave any information blank, especially Race and Hispanic Origin. If you leave a question blank, information will be answered for you and you may not be counted as an American Indian.

For more general information see: http://www.census.gov/rccdal/community/tribalprogram.html

 

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