Copyright © 1999 NLThomas
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OKLAHOMA - Oklahoma tribes, the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma (CNO) included, are preparing to take an active role in "Census 2000" to ensure a more accurate count will be made of the state's Native American population. A resolution recently approved by the CNO Tribal Council calls for the formation of a steering committee to promote the census throughout the tribes' 14-county jurisdictional area.

"The purpose of the committee is to bring together a representative team of active community members to develop and implement a "Census 2000" awareness campaign," said Laura Harjo, manager of the Cherokee Nation GeoData Center and tribal liaison to the Census Bureau.

The "Tribal Complete Count Committee," which will form soon, will help explain how census data is used for purposes of future education, health, social and economic development. The funding each Native American tribe receives is based upon census statistics.

"The committee wants to have a positive impact on the census questionnaire response rate by helping the tribe develop a structured effort to reach every sector within the tribe's jurisdiction," Harjo said.

It is estimated the 1990 Census under counted the United States Native American population by approximately 12 percent, so it is necessary and important to ensure a complete count of Cherokee citizens because the final count will be utilized for the next 10 years to secure federal funding, stated the tribal council's resolution.

Since 1990, it is estimated the state of Oklahoma has lost approximately $13 million a year in federal funds because the 1990 census under counted the state's native population, said Tulsa Mayor Susan Savage.

At the national level, in 1995, the United States Department of Commerce, Bureau of Census, established committees with minority populations including Native American Indians. The committees have been advising the Census Bureau to achieve a more accurate count among this country's various racial and ethnic groups.

During the past four years, the committees have advised the Census Bureau on a number of "Census 2000" topics, including race and ethnicity questions and tabulations, partnership efforts, the tribal liaison program, an advertising campaign, language barriers, and recruitment of tabulators.