The urban population has had a “head start” with the 2020 Census since self-response has been available since mid-March. Though we’re a few months into this, the Albuquerque Urban Native CCC’s goal remains the same: get our Urban Native community to respond. We have until the end of July before Census takers will go to homes in August, according to the updated Census schedule.
And we’re continuing to drive the point to our community: Please complete the Census as this not only affects our count in the city but also our count with our tribes. 
To give you an idea of how we’re doing, here’s a snapshot of the response rates in the U.S. and locally as of June 11:
- National Response Rate – 60.9%
- New Mexico Response Rate – 48.5%; Internet 38.4%
- Bernalillo County response rate – 63.6%; Internet 52.9%
We’re asking you to continue supporting Census efforts in easy ways that do not take significant time:
1. Send out monthly reminders in your newsletters & social media channels to your constituents. We can provide templates and/or graphics for your organization. For example, here’s a schedule with messages that include calls-to-action:
- June: Have you responded? Respond now!
- July: As the first peoples of this country, we need to show up and represent our communities and Tribes. Be sure to respond to the 2020 Census, otherwise there will be a Census taker who will come to your door in August!
- August: Back to school also means making sure you count so critical funding goes back into education.
- September: Fall is here! Don’t miss out and let’s make sure we count – it’s time to CHANGE the narrative! Respond to the 2020 Census.
- October: Let’s be bold and make sure we are SEEN! This is your LAST chance to respond to the 2020 Census.
2. Let’s partner to “piggyback” on any of your current efforts. We can provide flyers and help with connections on how your organization is impacted by accurate Census counts.
3. Help us with phone banking! Through iCountNM, we can use your phone lists to call people and patch them through to respond to the Census. Data will not be shared and phone scripts will be provided to our volunteers.
4. Serve as a “drive-thru” site or enhance your current drive-thru efforts! The NAVA Education Project (NAVAEP), the NM Native Census Coalition’s parent organization, is currently seeking organizations with broadband networks to provide wifi hotspots to increase Internet access and aid in social distancing. We can also purchase tablets to help people self respond via their phone or tablet while they wait in line. Our goal is to host one event per month.
5. Share videos on your social media platforms encouraging participation in the Census. The NMNCC has several videos on our website, including one from Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, Dawn Begay of the ABQ Office of Equity & Inclusion, our Indigenous Town Hall, Caren Gala of the Santa Fe Indian Center, and so many others from our New Mexico tribal communities, the places that connect us to our tribal roots. Other examples include a video from the National Urban Indian Family Coalition and the U.S. Census Bureau’s Tribal Affairs Team.
For more information, contact Albuquerque Urban Native CCC Co-chair Jaime Gloshay, 505-414-8799 or jaime@roanhorseconsulting.com.
