My name is André Cramblit and I am a member of the Karuk Tribe. My family comes from the Village of Katimeen on the Klamath River. I am participating in Census 2000 for 2 main reasons. 1) As the current President of the California Indian Education Association I know that an accurate count is needed to ensure proper funding for education programs such as Title IX, Johnson O’Malley, Higher Education Scholarships, Basic Adult Education and Head Start. The effects of Census 2000 will be felt in for the next 10 years. A complete count of all Citizens will mean additional seats in Congress and billions in federal funding for health and social services, in addition to added financial assistance for our schools and roads. 2) Naming your Tribe on the Census is also an opportunity to reclaim our heritage. On my fathers side my Great Grandmother was full-blooded Creek from Alabama. Members of the Ku Klux Klan conducted the Census of 1880 in Alabama. If you responded with anything other than white then they would visit you later on. My Grandmother replied white on that Census and it was not until she was dying that she told her family of their heritage. If you have Native blood you can ensure that your descendants are not further separated from their cultural heritage. You can find more information for American Indians and Alaska Natives call the local census Questionnaire Assistance Center, call NCIDC @ (707) 445-8451, or check resources on the web at www.ncidc.org or http://www.census.gov/ -- André Cramblit, Operations Director The Northern California Indian Development Council ( http://www.ncidc.org ) NCIDC is a non-profit organization that helps meet the social, educational, and economic development needs of American Indian communities. NCIDC operates a fine art gallery and gift boutique featuring the best of American Indian Artist's and their work, with emphasis placed on the work of the Tribes of N.W. California. (http://www.ncidc.org/gift/gifthome.htm#anchorgift)