Indigenous people have lived on the land we now call North America for millennia. They thrived on this land establishing structured governments, treaties, and alliances that are relevant today. They have preserved their culture, language, and governance structure, while continuing to lead with dignity and resilience.

As the nation’s premier statistical agency, the U.S. Census Bureau produces data that illuminate the diversity of American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) people and their communities. We honor the histories, cultures, and resilience of all indigenous people and communities in our nation. We do this by recognizing the obligation to engage and collect their input on the economic and demographic data we collect on their behalf.

We provide tribes and the people of Indian Country with data products that help AIAN populations make informed decisions on how to improve their communities. For instance, the 2020 Census included detailed data on 1,187 AIAN tribes and villages, reflecting the breadth and distinctiveness of AIAN communities. Additionally, statistical products developed for AIAN tribes and villages have proven to be powerful tools to inform their decision-making, identify tribal needs, and set priorities. Accurate, disaggregated data are critical for addressing disparities — and their collection and use must align with the principles of indigenous self-determination and sovereignty.

To support this, the 2026 Census Test will include three sites on tribal lands. Through this field test, we will evaluate proposed changes and innovations in six operational areas to improve the feasibility and effectiveness of our enumeration methods to count everyone in the decennial headcount. All of these will include aspects that either directly or indirectly help us enumerate hard-to-count and historically undercounted populations, including AIAN populations living on reservations.

In addition, initiatives such as our Tribal Relations Program, Statistical Products First, and the recent historic Memorandum of Agreement with the Osage Nation prioritize consulting with AIAN communities in data collection and highlight the importance of practices that build trust and respect.

Today, I want to share two upcoming events and initiatives that highlight our commitment to providing quality data on the AIAN community — including opportunities for you to be involved. I hope you’ll attend our events and provide input; your feedback will lead to better, more inclusive data.