Get Involved!

Why the 2010 Census is Important to Indian Country

The support of tribal leaders, activists, volunteers, trusted community leaders, Indian organizations, and intertribal groups is of utmost importance to ensuring that none of our Native people are missed. A successful 2010 Census in tribal communities will require stepped up efforts to overcome new challenges, such as those posed by the economic recession, high rates of home foreclosures, and increased migration of American Indians and Alaska Natives partly due to the high cost of fuel. Old challenges to an accurate count remain as well, such as rural and remote communities, unmarked and difficult to find addresses, language barriers, overcrowding, and unemployment. Only trusted community and tribal leaders have the power to encourage Natives that completing the 2010 Census is important to Our People, Our Nations, and Our Future.

What can you do to ensure all Native people are counted in 2010?

	10 Easy Ways to Take Action Download PDF From distributing flyers and public service announcements to posting a link to IndianCountryCounts.org and signing up to be an official Census partner, there are several easy ways to get involved. Check out this list of 10 Easy Ways to Take Action and get involved today!		2010 Census Timeline and Key Dates Download PDF Although the census does not take place until 2010, census operations began in November 2008. This section of the toolkit includes a timeline of major census operations leading up to Census Day - April 1, 2010.
	Is Your Community Hard-to-Count? Download PDF The Census Bureau and its partners have devoted a lot of energy to identifying areas where people are more likely to be undercounted without special effort. This section includes states with high Native populations and the percent of state populations living in hard-to-count areas by race.		How to Be Counted as an American Indian or Alaska Native Download PDF Come Census time, it's very important that every American Indian and Alaska Native person is counted and counted as an American Indian or Alaska Native. This area of the toolkit includes instructions and helpful tips for filling out this section.
	Important Contacts and NCAI Resources Download PDF The goal in designing the 2010 Census was to keep it simple, but sometimes questions and issues arise. This section will help you find information and contacts related to the Census.		List Your Enrolled Tribe Download PDF The instructions on the 2010 Census form asks the person to list the name of his or her enrolled (or principal) tribe. This section includes instructions for listing your enrolled tribe and the benefits of doing so.