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Why the 2010 U.S. Census Is Critical for American Indians |
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Written by Administrator
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Thursday, 25 February 2010 |
Why the 2010 U.S. Census Is Critical for American Indians
Written by Joely Proudfit Ph.D.
Wednesday, 24 February 2010
With an average statewide unemployment rate reportedly as high as 12.3 percent, and that of Indian Country regularly more than double that figure, the forthcoming U.S. census is a welcome operation for California Indians. It will not only put thousands of job opportunities on the map for American Indians but also offer them the chance to secure aid for their children and elders in minutes -- no money or letter to their congressman required.
The purpose of the census is to count everyone in the United States, including people of all ages, races and ethnic groups. The U.S. Constitution requires a national census once every 10 years to help determine representation at all levels of government, from the House of Representatives down the line, as well as essential community services for areas across the country. The census is meant to benefit both the tribal population and the 60-64 percent of the AIAN population that is not directly served by tribal governments because they live in urban areas, off-reservations or outside tribal jurisdictional boundaries.
By participating in the 2010 census, native people can use their voices to tell who they are and what their communities need, from health care facilities and nursing homes to new roads, new schools and better housing options. This is one simple way to ensure that their local communities are considered when federal government officials are determining how to allocate nearly $400 billion worth of spending.
Census data also benefits local businesses and AIAN decision makers in writing grant proposals, and establishing and locating new projects. Researchers, from historians and journalists to students, rely on such data to better understand and convey information about the Indian community to the non-Indian community, with the hope to further communicate important information and break down barriers of ignorance.
In March 2010, census forms will begin landing in mailboxes, including those of American Indians, from southern to northern California. This time, the forms -- with only 10 questions -- are one of the shortest in history and potentially the easiest to fill out, according to census officials.
No mailbox? No worries. In select Alaska Native villages, Indian reservations and other rural or remote countries, community members will be hired to work with the Census Bureau and visit homes without city-style addresses (containing a street number and street name). Workers will help individuals fill out the form and ensure each family member gets counted. American Indians are encouraged to answer the door, step up and speak to these workers without fear of government involvement or loss of privacy.
By U.S. law, the Census Bureau cannot share respondents' answers or activities, whether legal or illegal, with anyone -- including tribal housing authorities, other federal
agencies and law enforcement entities, even the president of the United States. All Census Bureau employees take the oath of nondisclosure and are sworn for life to protect the confidentiality of the data. The penalty for unlawful disclosure is a fine of up to $250,000 or imprisonment of up to five years, or both.
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