Copyright © 1999 NLThomas
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SHAWNEE, OK - Tribal leaders gathered in Shawnee Oklahoma, Thursday, to discuss the concerns of American Indians being missed in the 2000 census. The under counting in the 1990 census has cost Indian tribes federal funding. Officials from tribes all across Oklahoma are concerned that, of all minority groups, Indians were missed more than other groups. Indians were under counted by more than 12 percent in 1990, according to an estimate by the U.S.Census Bureau.

The meeting was held at the Citizen Band Potawatomi headquarters. Discussions included information on how to promote the census count. Some suggestions, from Dee Ann Alexander, a tribal government specialist for the U.S. Census Bureau, included tribal newsletters, speeches and holding events.

Alexander said, "Mistrust of the government and a lack of current mailing lists may have been factors in the low count."

The Muskogee (Creek) Nation Chief Perry Beaver said before the meeting, "We're trying to get the message out that they need to be counted."

Beaver explained that some tribal members are identifying themselves as non-Indians in the count because they are less the one-quarter blood, although these members are eligible for tribal services provided with federal funds by way of the census count. "They were counted, but they weren't counted as Creek citizens, the Chief said.

According to the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Indian Affairs Commission (OIAC), Barbara Warner, the OIAC's numbers show that based on tribal rolls, the 1990 census count for American Indians could be doubled, from the approximately 250,400 recorded.

The count does not just affect the tribes, the state has also missed out on federal dollars that are tied to its Indian population. Warner also said, "We're in a position here in Oklahoma where we could lose a congressional district."

An analysis done recently, by Election Data Services, using 1998 population figures, showed the state of Oklahoma about 38,000 people short of keeping its sixth congressional seat. "We feel it is very possible an accurate count of this population may help save it, Warner said.

According to Ms. Alexander, 33 of the 39 Oklahoma federally recognized tribes have appointed people to promote the census and she expects the others to follow suit.

Last December the Chief of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, Joe Byrd, pledged to help the Census Bureau. Byrd stated, "I would like to see committees set up in each community with representatives from health, administration, traditional people and churches involved."

After the meeting, a special ceremony was held in honor of Raymond Johnson, the Census Bureau tribal liaison for Oklahoma in 1990. Johnson died in the 1995 bombing of the Federal Building in Oklahoma City.