Aipi presentation census acs ncai 2013

American Indian Policy Institute

2013 NCAI Mid Year ConferenceJune 24, 2013Reno, Nevada

Who Counts? And Why it Matters

Presented by

Norm [email protected]

Eddie F. Brown, DSWExecutive Director, ASU American Indian Policy

[email protected]


Tribal Indicators Research Initiative

•Extract AI/AN data from U.S. Census and American Community Survey (ACS) to assist tribes in making effective use of the data.

•Provide innovative analysis of AI/AN census and ACS data in a partnership with tribes, including:

- Statistical and conceptual data errors- Policy implications of census self-identification

•Project partners include: American Indian Studies, Center for Population Dynamics, ITCA, NCAI PRC


The ACS American Community Survey

Why is it important?


Tribal LeadersTribal Advocates

Tribal Researchers

All Need to Care


It’s Basic

#s = $s


#s = $s• Formula Funded

Programs

• Grant Applications

• Presenting a Profile of the Tribal Community


ACS: Not Your Old Time Census

• Different Sample Size

• Different Timing

• Almost No Outreach


Looking behindthe Numbers

Is the ACS AccuratelyMeasuring the Entire

AI/AN Alone Population?



The ACS appears to be undercounting the AI/AN alone population in many local areas


Potential Sources of Error in ACS Data




Non-Sampling Error

The number just isn’t right!


Some Lessons

Further research and analysis

needed, by users, by researchers

and by the Census Bureau


Who Counts and Why it Matters

The Key Policy Issue Who Identifies who is

American Indian? • U.S. Census Bureau? • Indian Health Service?

• Bureau of Indian Affairs? • Courts?

What is the role for Tribes?

Education

Aipi presentation census acs ncai 2013