Barbara A. Warner [State Seal] David Walters
Executive Director Governor
STATE OF OKLAHOMA
INDIAN AFFAIRS COMMISSION
TELEFAX TRANSMITTAL
DATE: November 1, 1994
TO: All Tribal Leaders
FROM: Barbara A. Warner, Executive Director
Oklahoma Indian Affairs Commission
RE: DEFINITION OF "INDIAN/NATIVE AMERICAN"; "MULTI-RACIAL"
CATEGORY
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On October 31, 1994, 1994, I received a telephone call from a Mr. Allan
Holmes, a reporter for "The Government Executive" magazine in Washington, D.C.
He advised that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Census
Department was formulating a plan to identify individuals of multi-racial
ethnicity and create a new "multi-racial" race category. He further advised
that he was assessing the effects of the creation of a new race category by
contacting certain agencies to get their input.
Apparently, by the year 2000, the Census will contain questions within its
structure that will aid in the identification of Native American, Hispanic,
Asian, and Black population that are a product of more than one race. The
individuals that are identified as a mixed race population will then be
excluded from the race with which they identify, i.e., Native American, and be
included in the count for the "multi-racial" population.
In Oklahoma and, I am sure all across Indian Country, this manipulation of
ethnicity would have a devastating effect. One possible reason OMB's
involvement in this is because populations currently targeted for funding
would decrease in number and, thus, less funding would be required.
The concerns I expressed to Mr. Holmes were that, first of all, sovereign
nations determine their population by their own definition and enrollment.
Secondly, this plan would exclude all Native people with the exception of full
bloods, of which there are a decreasing number. I also pointed out that some
Native Americans were not, for reasons of adoption, undocumented paternity,
the Dawes Act, etc., were not able to establish their blood lines and these
individuals, also, would be classified as "multi-racial", even though, by
tribal definition, they were Native American.
4545 North Lincoln Boulevard, Suite 282 Oklahoma City, Okla. 73105
Phone (405)521-3828 FAX (405)521-0902
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TRIBAL LEADERS
PAGE 2
NOVEMBER 1, 1994
This policy, if fully developed and implemented by 2000, would affect not only
the Native American populations, but also the Black, Asian, and Hispanic
populations. For example, the Hispanic population is one of the fastest
growing in the U.S. and simply because many Mexican Americans are products of
Spanish and Mexican Indian heritage, they, too would lose large numbers of
their population to the "multi-racial" category. This category, I believe,
would be the largest population represented, but its composition would not
allow for unity.
Mr. Holmes advised that three (3) public hearings have taken place---in
Boston, Denver, and San Francisco. I will be inquiring about these hearings
and will request more information about their outcome. He also noted that a
random population would be selected for a test of the Census survey instrument
sometime before 2000.
In a followup conversation with Mr. Holmes today, he advised that he was not
yet able to establish a meeting with OMB or the Census on this topic, but
would keep me appraised once this occurs. He also stated that he had just
received a copy of a 300-page document containg testimony to the Sub-Committee
on Census, the "Review of Federal Measurements on Race and Ethnicity". We are
requesting a copy of this document for review at (202)226-7523.
It is apparent that all Native Americans that have less than 4/4 degree Indian
blood will fall into this new category unless we take the initiative to
express our concerns about this proposed plan. Mr. Holmes advised that
letters could be sent or faxed to OMB regarding this issue as follows:
Statistical Policy Office
Office of Management and Budget
725 17th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20503
(202)395-3093
FAX: (202)395-7245
In addition, all Senators, Congressmen, the BIA, the Sub-Committee on Census,
the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, IHS, HUD, Education, and even other
racial organizations should be made aware of this initiative. I am uncertain
as to what can be done to deter this plan at this point. I do believe,
however, that this is an important issue that should be taken up at the
National Congress of American Indians conference in Denver in a few weeks.
The definition of the American Indian/Native America should not be left up to
federal agencies, especially if it will affect funding levels for our
populations, which would, in turn, exclude many tribal members from services
and programs.
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TRIBAL LEADERS
PAGE 3
NOVEMBER 1, 1994
This is an issue that will require unity from our tribal governments. The
OKLAHOMA INDIAN AFFAIRS COMMISSION would like to urge each tribal leader to
express their concerns about this proposed initiative to OMB, as well as other
individuals and agencies, and make this an issue of discussion or resoulution
at NCAI, I will followup with any other information as it becomes available to
me.
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I have called State of Oklahoma IAC and requested a copy of this telefax
document, it has been sent, I do not have reason to believe that this is not
the real item. Have also called the Congressional Office # given in the body
of the letter and requested a copy of the Sub-Committee Report title given,
they said it would be sent to me here at the FDA Medical Library. GPO has
said that the Congressional Desk (202)512-1808, has a copy of a document with
this title; Stock # 552-070-16025-6, including hearing held on April 14, June
30, July 29, and November 3, 1993; price is $12.00.
If anyone else can independently verify this situation - please do so and
advise.
Reading this telefax was so unsettling that I hesitate to send it out,
but here it is. Be Well All - John Berry