2020 CENSUS Trusted Messenger Training Guide - BY NA'AH ILLAHEE FUND - Squarespace
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2020 CENSUS Trusted Messenger Training Guide B Y N A ' A H I L L A H E E F U N D
2 LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT We are honored to work with all of the Nations who have occupied the traditional and current lands we call Washington including the Chehalis, Chinook, Colville, Cowlitz, Duwamish, Hoh, Jamestown, Kalispel, Kikiallus, Lower Elwha, Lummi, Makah, Marietta Band, Muckleshoot, Nisqually, Nooksack, Palouse, Port Gamble. Puyallup, Quileute, Quinault, Samish, Sauk- Suiattle, Shoalwater, Skokomish, Snohomish, Snoqualmie, Snoqualmoo, Spokane, Squaxin Island, Steilacoom, Stillaguamish, Suquamish, Swinomish, Tulalip, Upper Skagit, Wanapum, and Yakama Nations.
3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Cover 1
Land Acknowledgment 2
Table of Contents 3
Introduction 4
Census Pitch 5
Native American Undercount 6
Trusted Messenger Breakdown + Responsibility 7-8
Example Census 9-10
Why does the Census Bureau ask? 11
How to be counted as Native American 12
Photography Credit 13
Quick Facts 14
Media Toolkit 15
Census Response Security 16
Census Timeline 17
Grant Deliverables 18
Resources 19
Contact info 20
(707) 499-8666 Cell
(206) 784-0818 Office
samantha@NaahIllahee.org
1620 18th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
Na'ah Illahee Fund
Na'ah Illahee Fund (NIF) is an intertribal non-profit and public fund established
in 2005 to focus on powerful Native female-centered activism and leadership. We
have been preparing for the census for years as an important step toward our
goals to amplify the voices of Native people. NIF was selected by Washington
State’s Office of Fiscal Management (in collaboration with the Washington Census
Alliance and the Seattle Foundation) to facilitate Census 2020. Our goal is a
complete count for tribal organizations through training, technical assistance and
funding.
U.S. Census Bureau
The US Census Bureau is the federal government's largest statistical agency. They
are dedicated to providing facts and figures about the people, places and economy
in America. Federal law protects the confidentiality of everyone's Census
responses.
4
WHAT'S THE DATA
CENSUS PITCH USED FOR?
Title I Grants to Local
Education Agencies - $13.9
Billion
About 90% of Native students
attend Title I Grant Schools.
Head Start Program - $8.3
Billion
About 10% of Native children and
pregnant women participated in
Head start and Early Head Start.
Indian Health Service (IHS) -
$4.8 Billion
IHS provides services to 2.2
million Natives nationwide.
Medicaid - $312 Billion
In 2016, 43% of Native Americans
were enrolled in Medicaid or
another public insurance
program.
Urban Indian Health Program
-$40.7 Million
Approximately 25% of Native
peoples live in urban areas in
counties served by these
programs.
SNAP - $69.5 Billion
26% of Native Households
Our People nationally and 32% on
reservations received SNAP
benefits in 2015.
Our Nations Indian Housing Block Grant -
$650 Million
Our Future According to Indian
Indian Community
Development Block Grants -
Country Today, Tribes $70 Million
lose at least $3,000 for Section 8 Housing Vouchers-
every citizen not
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? $19.1 Billion
counted, adding up to
$30,000 in lost funds
The Census data is used to create
per missed person until
WHAT'S AT RISK?
statistics which are used to
distribute over $675 billion the next census count. Federal funding decisions for
annually in federal funds. A
complete count of our your community use Census data
communities helps ensure equal Those missed tribal members based on population size may
representation and equal access to mean fewer dollars for roads,
Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, Section 8
result in less funding and services
important governmental and
private sector resources. About $1 housing, WIC, Headstart, Pell to your community. We can have
billion of annual federal funds are Grants, Vocational Rehabilitation more funding and greater
allocated to Indian Country. That Grants, After School Programs,
Free School Lunch, Health Care representation in society and it
said, Native Americans are the
most undercounted in the nation. Centers and more. begins with the Census.
5
The Native American Undercount
Historical reasons for undercount:
Native Americans were left off the first six Census Counts and after that all census counts
were done in person by enumerators who guessed people’s races by looking at them. It
wasn’t until 1970 that the government had census data collected by mail-in surveys. This
gave people the freedom to self-identify what race they were instead of government
officials deciding based on appearence. This lead to a dramatic increase of counted
Native American people, with our population numbers increasing by 110% between 1980
and 2000.
Current reasons for undercount:
Native Americans are about 2 percent of the total US population, about 5.6 million as of
2016, yet 1/3 Native Americans live in ”Hard to Count” census tracts. Our long history of
distrust of the federal government from broken treaties and unmet needs make our tribal
citizens reluctant to fill out the Census. Many reservations have housing that lacks
physical addresses or rely on P.O. Boxes which the Census doesn’t mail to. This year the
majority of the census will be taken online- but most of Indian Country lacks broadband
access. Overall Tribal communities have limited resources and access to funding that
supports complete count census work. This is where you Trusted Messengers come in!
6
TRUSTED
MESSENGER
BREAKDOWN
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Trusted Messengers are community members recruited by Tribal Orginzations to
educate and engage their community with the Census to get a complete count!
With training and support from NIF here are a few roles you will play:
Start by developing an outreach plan with your team- will your team be reaching out
to people they know, doing door to door canvassing, starting with outreach to your
community members?
Have a first Census conversation with each household by asking:
What do they know about the census?
Why does it matter?
Provide basic information about the census that relates to what they care about.
What programs do they or their loved ones use that are funded using census data?
What questions do they have? Remind them it will only take 10 minutes to fill out!
When the census forms arrive to your community, follow up by asking if they need
help filling out the forms or have any questions.
In May 2020, follow up with each household to ask if they were able to complete the
forms, and what was the most helpful information?
7
TRUSTED
MESSENGER
BREAKDOWN
YOUR TOOLKIT:
How should I structure my time as a trusted messenger?
80 total hours of outreach
4 hour training with Na’ah Illahee Fund
4 hours organizing and hosting your organizations Census event
64 hours doing outreach to Native community members and
households you know, and/or door to door canvassing if needed.
4 hours follow up during March & April while Census Forms are out
4 hours follow up in May 2020 for non-response households
What other Census outreach can we be doing?
Events dedicated to the census
Building census information into pre-scheduled community events
Direct mail and emails to tribal community encouraging participation
Set up Census reporting stations at your local library or tribal office so
Tribal members without internet access can still fill it out online.
This is a big job, will I be the only one in my community doing all the
work to ensure my tribal community gets a complete count?
No, Trusted Messengers are only one vital part to a larger "Get Out The
Count" Campaign.
There also are:
Four US Census Bureau Tribal Partner Specialists across Washington who
partner with Tribes to promote Census awareness and encourage
participation. They are the Census Experts!
Each Tribe has a Tribal Census Liaison, a main point of contact for your
Tribe. You can go to them with any questions about your community's
Census needs.
Each tribe also has a "Tribal Complete Count Committee" - volunteers
established by Tribal governments and community leaders to strategize
on how to ensure a complete count for your Tribe. They usually have
monthly meetings to check in on events, funding, to share resources and
make sure every community has a census plan.
8
WHY DO THEY ASK?
NUMBER OF PEOPLE LIVING OR STAYING:
They ask about the number of people to get an accurate population count. That number will
affect how many seats each state gets in Congress. State and local officials use census counts to
draw boundaries for congressional districts, state legislative districts and school districts.
ADDITIONAL PEOPLE LIVING OR STAYING
To ensure everyone living at an address is counted.
OWNER/RENTER
Homeownership rates serve as an indicator of the nation’s economy and help in administering
housing programs and informing planning decisions.
PHONE NUMBER
They ask in the unlikely occurrance that they need to contact you for official Census Bureau
business.
NAME
They ask to ensure everyone in the house is counted.
SEX
They ask this to create statistics about gender to be used in planning and funding government
programs.
AGE AND DATE OF BIRTH
They ask about age and date of birth to understand the size and characteristics of different age
groups and to present other data by age.
HISPANIC, LATINO OR SPANISH ORIGIN
They ask this to create statistics about this ethnic group needed to monitor compliance with
antidiscrimination provisions, such as under the Voting Rights Act and the Civil Rights Act.
RACE
They ask this to create statistics about race and to present other statistics by race groups.
WHETHER A PERSON LIVES OR STAYS
SOMEWHERE ELSE
They ask this question to ensure individuals are not counted at multiple addresses.
RELATIONSHIP
They ask this to create estimates of families, households, and other groups. Relationship data is
used in planning and funding government programs that provide funds or services for families.
11HOW TO BE
COUNTED AS
NATIVE
Checking the box to indicate that you are American Indian or Alaska Native on the
2020 census form is a matter of self-identification. No proof is required. No one will
ask you to show a tribal enrollment card or a Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood
(CDIB). Check with your Tribe to see how they will be identifying on the Census and
make sure you have the spelling right! There will be up to two hundred character
spaces on this year's Census form.
HOUSEHOLDER QUESTION
In mixed race households, it's important to have the Native person be listed as "Person 1" so the whole
household will be counted as a Native Household. Household data is pulled separately than individual
race and ethnicity data which is asked later in the Census form. You will still be able to list each
person's individual race later and each individual will be counted towards that demographic's
population count - even if listed in a "Native household". If for example the mixed race household was
a white and a Native couple, and the white person filled out the census as "Person 1" the entire
household would be counted as a "white household" even with Native people listed as living there.
When Native people are able to be counted as "Person 1" the count of Native households in the U.S. is
more accurate.
OPTION TO CHECK MULTIPLE RACE BOXES
In the 2020 Census, you have the option to check off multiple race boxes. You can identify as
American Indian or Alaska Native and also can identify as a member of another race, such as white,
Black or Asian.
The only way to be counted as Native American or Alaska Native in ALL
2020 Census data pulled is to ONLY choose the Native American or
Alaska Native race box!
Many Native American groups are encouraging the U.S. Census Bureau and other federal
agencies to use data from both the American Indian Alone and American Indian Alone or
in Combination categories, since tribal citizens are included in both those categories.
However- for the 2020 Census if you choose more than once race- there will be some data
about Native Americans that you won't be counted in.
Every individual has the right to determine how they want to be counted in the Census.
How will you count?
12Photography by Alicia Diamond
QUICK FACTS
TWO-SPIRIT AND NONBINARY FOLKS
Unfortunately there are only two listed genders on the census form and each
person can only select one. When filling out the form online- you won't be able to
get to the next page without choosing one gender. If the census is not filled out,
an enumerator will come in person to ask the questions. For the purpose of the
census, we suggest choosing one gender option to complete the form. We will be
lobbying to change this in upcoming census forms to be more accurate and
respectful of our non-binary and two spirit community members.
KIDS IN TWO HOUSEHOLDS
If a kid lives in two households or with another relative, count everyone where
they live and sleep most of the time - even if the living arrangement is
temporary.
HOW WILL PEOPLE WITHOUT A PERMANENT RESIDENCE BE
COUNTED?
Census Bureau employees work extensively to take in-person counts of
people living in group housing like college dormitories and shelters, as well
as those experiencing homelessness, incarceration, or who have been
displaced by natural disasters.
CAN’T READ THE QUESTIONNAIRE?
Large- print questionnaires will also be available on request, as well as TTY
via Federal Relay Service.
CAN WE TRACE OUR FAMILY TREE FROM PAST CENSUS
COUNTS?
Yes, if your family was counted in past censuses. Census information is
private for seventy-two years, after that it becomes public record. So you
can find ancestors and learn more about your family tree if you’d like! In
seventy-two years your descendants will be reading about you!
14Census Media Toolkit
IDEAS ON SHARING
POST ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Use Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and
Snapchat to get out the word about the
census. Not sure what to say? Here’s a
few suggestions:
USE HASHTAGS!
#Census #Census2020 #Nativescount
#Icount #Nativecensus
MAKE YOURSELF COUNT
Our ability to vote is impacted by the
census.
THE SERVICES YOU USE ARE AT
STAKE
Census data is used to make decisions
on your behalf.
IT AFFECTS OUR FUTURE
Getting Counted in the Census provides
a good future for your children.
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD
We want your voice to be heard, and
that can’t happen without
participating.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT USES
THE CENSUS DATA
to distribute funds and assistance to
states and localities. It’s also used for
redistricting and reapportion to the
seats each State holds in Congress.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT USES THE
CENSUS DATA
to ensure public safety and plan new
schools and hospitals.
BUSINESSES USE CENSUS DATA
to decide where to build factories,
offices and stores which all create local
jobs.
RESIDENTS USE THE CENSUS
to support community initiatives
involving legislation, quality-of-life
and consumer advocacy.
15HOW CENSUS RESPONSES ARE
SECURE + CONFIDENTIAL
The law requires the Census Bureau to keep your
information confidential and use your responses only to
produce statistics. They can not release your responses in
any way that can identify you. They never share
information with law enforcement or courtrooms, or
allow it to be used to determine your eligibility for
government benefits.
16Timeline
"The National Congress of American Indians does
hereby support the Census Bureau."
December - Identify who your Tribal Census Liaison is and get involved
in your Tribal Complete Count Committee.
January 1st - 90 days to Census Date. Peak hiring time for the Census
Bureau.
January 31st - 60 days to Census Date.
February - Focus activities on raising awareness. Share why we must be
counted at Tribal events, newsletter, op-ed’s social media, and more!
March - The Census Bureau mails census materials to all households.
This is a time of peak Census Activities with emphasis on action and
response by online, phone, or paper survey.
April 1st- Official Census Day! Inform communites with limited internet
access where they can fill out their survey or have a party!
May- Census Bureau will begin to follow up with Tribal members who
have not yet responded.
June- Continue to publicize non-response follow-up including phone
calls, and door to door outreach.
July- Post Enumeration Survey to measure coverage error.
September - Finalize Census and data analyzation.
December- Census Bureau reports final population data.
17GRANT DELIVERABLES
1 2 3
Project Outreach All Tribal Census Track number of
Plan submitted in Liaisons &/or Project households
Managers and Tribal contacted by TCCL’s
early 2020 to NIF.
Census Community
Each TCCL will be assigned 50
Liaison’s attend separate households with no
overlap.
Trusted Messenger
Outreach
training
to be scheduled with NIF Community
Engagement Coordinator.
4
Submit final report no
later than 5/31/20
which includes template to be provided by
NIF:
a. Tribal Nation or Organization name,
Total number TCCL’s, Number of
households contacted, Location/census tract
- Ex: Na’ah Illahee Fund, 5 trusted
messengers, 20 households contacted, City
of Seattle
b. Short (no more than 1-2 paragraphs)
description of Community Event(s) held for
project including type of event and number
of attendees
c. Short description (no more than 2-3
paragraphs) including major outcomes,
challenges faced, lessons learned and
recommendations for 2030 Census outreach
and education.
1819 Trusted Messenger Resource Page Indian Country Counts Toolkit - http://indiancountrycounts.org Washington Census Alliance - https://www.wacensusalliance.org Native American Rights Fund - https://census.narf.org/? _ga=2.156282936.2015276367.1579127171-1071243895.1579127171 US Census Bureau Tribal Affairs Page - https://www.census.gov/aian/?# The Leadership Conference Education Fund - https://civilrights.org/resource/will-you-count-american-indians-and- alaska-natives-in-the-2020-census/ More Equitable Democracy - https://www.equitabledemocracy.org VOX How you were counted - https://www.vox.com/2016/8/18/12404688/census-race-history- intersectionality My US Census Bureau Tribal partnership Specialist name and email: _______________________________ _______________________________ My Census Liaison name and email: _______________________________ _______________________________ My Tribal Complete Count Committee name and email: _______________________________ _______________________________
(707) 499-8666 Cell
(206) 784-0818 Office
samantha@naahillahee.org
1620 18th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122You can also read
