The U.S. census will take place this year (2020), and tribal members are still fighting to be represented accurately. Census data determines tribal representation and federal allocation of spending, making the impact of being misrepresented huge for Native Americans. The U.S. census is conducted every 10 years and counts all residents living in the United States. This year, all homes across the country will recieve the 2020 census, either by mail, phone, or online. Unfortunately, certain population groups like Native Americans are at a higher risk of not being fully counted, usually due to factors like poverty, low educational attainment, age, and housing insecurity. According to the census bureau's own audit, one in seven Native Americans on tribal lands are not counted in the census. Already just 2% of the population, this makes Native Americans one of the most likely groups to be missed in the census.
Why is this important?
Census data is used to determine Native American representation in Congress and local elections - less representation means less advocacy. The data collected in every census directly affects the government's ability to ensure equal representation and equal access to important governmental and private sector resources for Native Americans. Being undercounted in a census also lowers allocated federal funding for tribes. According to census.gov, "The census tells us who we are and where we are going as a nation, and helps our communities determine where to build everything from schools to supermarkets, and from homes to hospitals."
To learn more about this issue, read The Guardian's article here.
