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[article provided by Lona. Thanks!]

 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.
 

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