CENSUS 2000 FACT SHEET For American Indians and Alaska Natives 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. IS THERE SOMEONE I CAN CALL FOR MORE HELP? Community centers are available to help you If you need help with the census form, community centers will be available to help you with examples. Please call for more information: Southern California Indian Center (SCIC) at (213) 387-5772 or (714) 663-1102 United American Indian Involvement (UAII) at (213) 202-3970. -- 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)