Hi, I'm not sure who the other Doug is that made the initial comment, but Doug Patterson did not. I would not have used the word "lying", I would have said misguided. He may have worded it a little strong, but he has a point. Only tribally enrolled members will benefit from the census count. Indian funds do not go to folks who are not tribal members, so why are they the ones who seem most concerned about it. You wrote that we should be counted so that we can get our funds, who are "we"? I think that it is a good idea to make sure tribally affiliated persons are counted as they will get the funds. It seems that you feel very strongly about your Indian heritage, why is it that neither you nor your boyfriend are tribal members? I've got a feeling that Indians will be overcounted this next census, and deprived of all funding because of it. Any person with a tradition and no proof will insist on putting Indian on their forms. Doug Patterson -----Original Message----- From: Wolfdrmer4@aol.com <Wolfdrmer4@aol.com> To: NATIVEAMERICAN-DELMARVA-L@rootsweb.com <NATIVEAMERICAN-DELMARVA-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Thursday, February 17, 2000 11:09 AM Subject: census >Oki...we had a short seminar at the Denver Indian Center on the 2000 >Census..Doug...it is not about tribal membership..its strictly >geographical...if you are married or living with a Native American, he or she >should be the major or number 1 person to check Native American..then his or >her tribe.. then anyone living in the household, by law, can be counted as an >American Indian..i know i have Blackfeet blood, but am not enrolled, and have >no written proof yet...but my boyfriend is Apache, also not enrolled, but >Apache just the same, and he can qualify as "head of household" and anyone >living here with us can mark Native American...this is so we will not be >undercounted again as we were in 1990...it is not "lying" as the government >recognizes anyone in the household as Native American..it is SO important for >all of us to be counted...then we will get the funds needed for housing, >emergency health care, and education...it is VERY important that the count be >accurate...there are many elders and children out there who do not recieve >care because the Census of 1990 was so under counted...so please...if you >have any questions about this, contact an Indian Center near you or your >tribal office...Nan aiya...kris > > >============================== >The RootsWeb WorldConnect Project: >Tens of millions of individuals... and counting. >http://worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com/