A voice for the generations
A voice for the generations
Moving forward with Census 2010
By MARVIN BAKER
EDITOR
A reservation specific U.S. Census Bureau exhibit stopped in New Town April 8 to provide a final sweep of information about Census 2010.
The group, which started in Denver and is traveling across the western United States and stopping at 91 Indian reservations, also made stops in Belcourt, Fort Totten, United Tribes and Fort Yates while in North Dakota.
Tribal Partnership Specialist Jeff Baker, from the Denver regional office, said the main intent was to reach as many people as possible on the Fort Berthold Reservation to make sure they participate in Census 2010.
“There are a lot of tribal people who don’t listen to the radio or read the local newspaper, but we want to make sure everyone is counted,” Baker said. “Part of the awareness campaign is to get the message out of the importance and impact to tribal nations as far as census data.”
Baker said regardless of what people may have heard, census information is and will always remain confidential and being counted provides data to help make federal requests for funding.
He said an accurate number of people on the reservation will only help the college, the clinic, the schools, the day cares and the list goes on.
“We’re heavily dependent on federal funds,” Baker said. “And the main thing is, tribal nations have to take advantage of empowerment and get the message to the elders so we can get additional funding.”
