Internet Research Projects

Assessing the Status of Native Americans Using Census Data

 

In this exercise, you will use U.S. Census data and the Internet to gather information about all American Indians and a tribal group of your own choosing. This project adds to the information you gathered for the Internet Research Project in Chapter 6. You already have information for the total population and African Americans in the table you completed for the Internet Research Project for Chapter 6. Now, you will add information to the table for all American Indians and Alaska Natives and the tribe you selected. You will also search the Internet for additional information on the tribal grouping you selected. You will then use course concepts to assess and analyze this information and place it in the context of this text.

  1. Go to the official U.S. Census Bureau website at www.census.gov

  2. Click “Data” from the list of options at the top of the home page and then click “Data Tools and Apps” 

  3. Click “The American Fact Finder” – the top selection in the list on the page that opens

  4. On the next page,

    • Click “Advanced Search”

    • Click “Show Me All”

  5. On the next page, in the box in the middle of the page,

    • Click the button next to “Race/Ethnicity”

    • Type American Indian in the box under “race, ancestry, or tribe.” As you type, some suggested group names will appear.  Click on “American Indian alone or in combination with one or more other races”

    • Click “Go”

  6. The next screen will list a number of datasets. Look in the right-hand column and find the data set called 2012 ACS 3-year estimates. Click on “Selected Population Profile in the United States” for this data set

  7. The Population Profile for American Indians will appear. Scroll down the table until you get to “Educational Attainment,” “Employment Status,” “Income in the Past 12 Months,” “Poverty Rates for Families and People …,”  and “Housing Tenure.” Add the information to the table.  Data for the “Total Population” have already been entered.

    • NEW VARIABLE: Note that a new variable (ability to speak English) has been added to the table. For your convenience, scores for the total population and African Americans have been added.

    • ADDING YOUR OWN VARIABLE: As you review the Population Profile, look for an additional variable that might add to your understanding of Native Americans and other minority groups. Avoid variables that have been used in this chapter. Note the score for American Indians and Alaska Natives and, if you wish, find scores for the total population and African Americans.

  8. When you have entered all data, use your browser’s “Back” button to return to the previous screen.

  9. Find the “Your Selections” box in the upper left of the screen and click the “x” next to “American Indians and … .” You will be returned to selection screen

  10. The button next to “race/ancestry” should still be checked. If not, click on it to re-select it.

  11. Type the name of your tribal grouping in the box and in the table below. See Table 7.1 for a list of tribes or select your own. As you type the tribal name, some suggested group names may appear. If you are given a choice, select “Alone or in combination … “

  12. Click “Go” and repeat steps 6 and 7 for this group

  13. Search the Internet for additional information about the tribal grouping you selected. You can do this by using the tribe name in any search engine (such as Google). Review the information carefully and critically and write a short essay summarizing the information you gathered.[1]

 

 

NOTE: THESE VARIABLES ARE SIMILAR BUT NOT IDENTICAL TO THOSE USED IN CHAPTER 7

Category

Variable

Total Population*

African Americans

Native Americans

______________

EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT

High School Graduate or Higher

85.9%

 

 

 

LANGUAGE SPOKEN AT HOME AND ABILITY TO SPEAK ENGLISH

Percent that speak English less than “very well”

8.7%

3.1%

 

 

EMPLOYMENT STATUS

Percent Unemployed

6.5%

 

 

 

INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS

Individuals – Per Capita Income

$27,385

 

 

 

POVERTY RATES

All people

15.7%

 

 

 

HOUSING TENURE

Percent in Owner-occupied housing Unit

64.7%

 

 

 

YOUR VARIABLE

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Results are from the 2012 American Community Survey, Three Year estimates

 

Questions for Research Discussion:

  1. What stage of Gordon’s model of assimilation (see Chapter 2) do the variables in this table measure?

  2. According to Blauner (Chapter 4), both American Indians and African Americans are “colonized or conquered” minority groups. Is their status in American society similar? What important differences do you see? Are these colonized groups higher or lower than the white ethnic groups you investigated in Chapter 2? Do these patterns agree with Blauner’s predictions? How?

  3.  Review the themes stated at the beginning of Chapter 4 and the “corollary” stated at the beginning of Chapter 5. How do the patterns you observe in the table above relate to the contact situation and changing subsistence technologies?

  4. Review the concepts of modern institutional discrimination and past-in-present discrimination introduced in Chapter 5. How do the patterns you observe in the table above relate to these concepts?

  5. What information did you discover in your Internet search and how does it relate to the issues raised in these questions?

 

Optional Group Discussion: Bring the information on your groups and tribe (including the information you found in your Internet search) to class and compare with the information collected by others. Consider the issues raised in the questions above and in the chapter and develop some ideas about why the groups are where they are relative to one another and the total population.

 

 

[1] If you cannot find your group, see the “Alternative Instructions for Locating the American Community Survey 2012, Three-Year Estimates”