Thought this was of valuable information to pass along to the lists about the census 2000 and Native American heritage. Jacque in SE ID ----- Original Message ----- From: Andre P. Cramblit <andrekar@ncidc.org> To: <CHOCTAW-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, February 22, 2000 1:45 PM Subject: [CHOCTAW] FACT SHEET 2000 > 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) > > > ==== CHOCTAW Mailing List ==== > Pushmataha County, Oklahoma -- > http://www.rootsweb.com/~okpushma >