Dear ONAC Constituents, Partners, and Friends, 

For those of you needing access to, or wanting to review, some valuable Census toolkit information related to the 2020 Census and an accurate counting of tribal citizens, please go to the NCAI Indian Country Counts site at http://indiancountrycounts.org.  Some of the information below is quoted directly from the toolkit available at the NCAI site noted above.

"Householder Question: For many reasons, it is important that American Indian and Alaska Native households be counted in the 2020 Census.  This depends on the race of “Person 1” or the first person listed on the census form.  If that person says he or she is American Indian or Alaska Native, then the household will be counted as one with an American Indian or Alaska Native 'householder.'”  In the NCAI toolkit, information is also provided about the option to check off multiple races. 

Also important, according to NCAI, "On the 2020 Census form, you can identify your race as American Indian or Alaska Native and you can write in the name of your “enrolled or principal tribe.” The space for entering responses collects up to 200 characters and records up to six entries so you can enter more than one tribe. Make sure to try to write in the official name of your tribe. You can look it up on the tribal website or ask your tribe about their preference in how their name is written."

For updates about the 2020 Census field operations, related to COVID-19, please go to https://www.census.gov.

An accurate count will provide needed data for planning and fundraising, examination of the need for services in rural tribal areas and urban areas, allocation of Congressional seats, and the amount the federal government will set aside for tribal social program assistance.    

Let's do what we can do to support an accurate count of Native peoples and communities in the 2020 Census.  

ONAC is wishing you safety and good health.