Opportunity for AI/AN Representation on 2030 Census Advisory Committee

The Census Bureau is seeking nominations of members representing stakeholder organizations, groups, interests, and viewpoints to the 2030 Census Advisory Committee (“the Committee”). Through the Committee, the Census Bureau can engage with diverse voices as it prepares for the next census and seeks external perspectives on its plans to address census undercounts, communicate with different communities, and collect census information in an easy and efficient way. Nominations for membership on the Committee must be received no later than September 20, 2023, and should be emailed to Census.2030.Advisory.Committee@census.gov with the subject line “2030 Census Advisory Committee Nomination.” This is a unique opportunity for historically underrepresented populations, including urban American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations, to improve Census representation. Individuals, groups, and/or organizations may submit nominations on behalf of candidates interested in joining the Committee.

Nominations

Individuals, groups, and/or organizations may submit nominations on behalf of candidates. The diverse membership of the Committee assures perspectives and expertise reflecting the breadth of the Committee’s responsibilities, and, where possible, the Census Bureau will also consider the ethnic, racial, and gender diversity and various abilities of the United States population.

NCUIH and the Census

NCUIH has reported on and advocated for census equity to represent urban AI/AN populations accurately. The previous 2020 U.S. Decennial Census continued these inaccuracies, undercounting (AI/AN) peoples. After the 2020 Census, the U.S. Census Bureau conducted a Post-Enumeration Survey to evaluate the accuracy of the census and estimate over- or undercount by state and demographic group. The report found that in 2020, there was a statistically significant undercount of AI/AN people. Undercounting jeopardizes the health of AI/AN people as well as future budget calculations in Indian Country.

Additionally, as recently reported by NCUIH, the undercounting of AI/AN people went underreported. The urban AI/AN community demands greater representation in the general population and decisionmakers’ viewpoints. This is especially pertinent in urban AI/AN communities as more than 70% of AI/AN people now live in urban areas. The 2030 Census Advisory Committee is an important opportunity for urban AI/AN representatives and UIO (Urban Indian Organization) leaders to serve on the Committee and impact Census reform.

For further information, click here or contact Shana J. Banks, Chief, Advisory Committee Branch, Office of Program, Performance and Stakeholder Integration (PPSI), Census Bureau, at Shana.J.Banks@census.gov.

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