2010 Census Seeks Partners to Get Americans Counted

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"For years, the Native American community held on to its distrust of the government," explained Jacqueline Johnson Pata, executive director of the National Congress of American Indians. "At the turn of the century, the government census taker determined whether Native Americans were civilized or uncivilized Americans," Pata said, which in turn has lead to a massive undercount of the country's tribal communities.

In 2000, when the Census partnered with Native American tribal leaders, it helped to engage more members on the ground. "Enumerators make the difference," she said. "They are the people on the ground and the ones who the community knows and trusts."

The challenge he sees will be reaching those Americans who have been affected by the nation's financial crisis. "The economy has caused a high level of mobility and instability," [Wade Henderson] said. "With high unemployment and foreclosures, the census will have to be more aware of people now living in tent cities and others who have been displaced causing major population shifts."

In addition to hearing discussions about the challenges and successes of past Census counts, the bureau launched its appeal to broaden its partnership base with groups that will raise awareness and encourage participation in the 2010 Census. Since 1990, the U.S. Census Bureau has engaged groups representing African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans and Asians to put a familiar face to the massive number of heads to be counted.

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2010 Census Seeks Partners to Get Americans Counted

WASHINGTON - The decades-old challenge of counting the U.S. population will be met by more than 1,000 national and local organizations gearing up for the U.S. 2010 Census.

As partners, these groups will tailor ...

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