The strength of our community
As Native people we know our truths including our histories, cultures, and identities. While 71% of us live in urban areas, we are still tribal people and maintain our values, practices, communities, and stories regardless of where we are.
We also know despite all the efforts to erase American Indians and Alaska Natives from society and history, we are still here. Our participation in the census shows this and recognizes the strength and resiliency of our ancestors and ourselves.
All our efforts today influence the future and we have a responsibility to be good ancestors for the generations to come.
The importance of being counted
Native people make up about 2% of the total U.S. population or approximately 5.6 million people. We know this is an undercount. This undercount means we are underfunded and misrepresented, but we can start to change that now.
American Indians and Alaska Natives who complete the census are contributing to better data about us and elevating our chances for key funding toward important programs that impact housing, education, healthcare, transportation, and many others.
We are all encouraging everyone to get involved through conversations, community events, social media, and most importantly by completing the census form.
Learn more about the census and what it means for Native people and download tools that you can use to share within your organizations, among your communities, and on social media.
We’re here to help
If you are interested in learning more about the 2020 Census or want to share your story and news with us, email Wyatt Pickner (Hunkpati Dakota) at wyattp@uihi.org.
We are stronger in numbers
Urban Indian Health Institute is working with urban Indian organizations across the country on our We Count initiative. The purpose of our initiative is to support the 2020 Census efforts of other Native organizations and raise awareness within urban American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
