This is a nice article, but the bottom line is that the census does not benefit in any way non enrolled Indians whatsoever. They are appealing to a persons vanity to boost numbers. Doug -----Original Message----- From: Andre P. Cramblit <andrekar@ncidc.org> To: NATIVEAMERICAN-DELMARVA-L@rootsweb.com <NATIVEAMERICAN-DELMARVA-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Monday, February 28, 2000 4:31 PM Subject: Info From Oklahoma-Census > http://www.okit.com/opinion/february/census.htm >02/25/2000 > >Oklahoma Indian Times Inc., Editors and Publishers: Elizabeth Gray and Jim >Gray, P.O. Box 692050, Tulsa, OK 74169, or email to Editor@okit.com >Decades of Change - Tribal Census Issues: Removing barriers for a new >century > >Excerpts of his speech to tribal leaders at a recent meeting on the Census > >By Curtis Zunigha (Delaware/Isleta Pueblo) > >I come to you today as a member of the Census Bureau's American Indian and >Alaska Native Advisory Committee with a unique perspective on the >incredible >process known as Census 2000. Our committee of nine members from all across > >Indian Country is charged with advising Ken Prewitt and the rest of the >Census Bureau on policy and procedure regarding Indian Country. I recognize > >the incredible diversity that exists in Indian Country and I know all too >well the frustrations and failures of federal government relations in >Indian >Country. With some apprehension and a keen desire to make a difference, I >joined this committee in November 1997, and I am here to tell you that >today's Census Bureau represents a change for the better to Indian Country. > >There has been a significant, serious, and sincere response by the Census >Bureau since my contact. > >Both Indian Country and the Census Bureau must embrace this premise and use > >it as a foundation to remedy the 12.2% undercount of American Indians and >Alaska Natives in the 1990 decennial census. This was the highest >undercount >of any race/ethnic population. And we have only 2 million Indians in this >country out of some 280 million. There are major concerns about privacy and > >confidentiality whether it affects one tribal elder at a reservation health > >clinic, a struggling young Indian family on welfare in an urban center, or >a >tribal government protecting its sovereignty. Add to that an inherent >mistrust of the federal government, fears of Congress pushing anti-Indian >legislation, and lack of knowledge about census data and its impact. > >What an incredible maze of barriers! And our experience is to tackle it as >best we can without sufficient resources, or just ignore it because we >don't >understand it, or refuse to participate because we don't like to be treated > >second class. But to ignore an opportunity to take a proactive role in >Census 2000 is not so much a slam on the U.S. Government as it is on your >own people. I know there is base funding for tribal governments to operate >and shares of money for tribal and community development. And BIA money is >derived from a certain formula separate from census data. But so many other > >government agencies and the private sector use census demographics to >determine funding and/or investment. Long range economic and social >development planning for health, education, welfare, and housing among >other >things depends on actual census data to reconcile with declarations of >tribal jurisdictional areas. > >We are challenged with reviewing complex and inexact maps, jurisdictional >areas, and population statistics. Of particular concern is the vast urban >Indian population that may live outside the tribe's jurisdictional area. We > >must continue to demand our unique legal and political status in addition >to >our ethnic and cultural identity. We have made incredible advances just in >our opportunity to declare ourselves on the census form. Remember when we >were listed as "other"? Now we declare our Indian racial identity and >principally enrolled tribe. While this form may still not be a complete >picture of who you are (multi-tribal or multi-racial), it is imperative >that >you list yourself as Indian and list your enrolled tribe. When data >collection and tabulation occurs over the next few years, we must demand >that all data for anyone declaring Indian should be separated due to our >legal and political status as sovereign Indian nations. > >That is why your Indian program contacts at the state, regional, and >national levels are so important. That is why IndianNet and a Census >Information Center for Indian Country is a critical link. I urge you to >invest in the human and technological resources to ensure your >participation >in Census 2000. > >As I look back on the history of my tribe, the Delaware Tribe of Indians, >this country's first federally recognized treaty tribe, I am struck by the >government's census efforts a century ago. We were forced to assemble and >be >counted if we wanted to be recognized for so-called treaty rights and >benefits. Unfortunately for our Indian people that census effort and >subsequent enrollments through 1906 preceded Oklahoma statehood that made >the Indian state promised in our treaties vanish. Allotment of Indian lands > >was part of the subversive plan to take our land and destroy our >governments. However, many of our Oklahoma tribes now see the problems with > >those of our ancestors who did not participate. Those who did not answer a >census or take part in enrollment caused their descendants to lose out on >tribal membership in today's context. But the barriers of the past should >only be the milestones of lessons learned. Both tribal governments and the >U.S. Government must enter into a good faith effort to make the census work > >for community empowerment. As we enter a new century, we should demand our >rightful involvement in this endeavor known as Census 2000. What is good >for >Indian Country is good for the United States. We can make this census work >for us and create a stronger foundation for the development of our tribes >and communities. Remember, tell your people to answer the census forms when > >they come to us in April 2000. Generations are counting on this. Don't >leave >it blank. >-- > >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) > > >============================== >The RootsWeb WorldConnect Project: >Tens of millions of individuals... and counting. >http://worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com/