Anishinabek Nation urging census participation

In order to have accurate information to help with funding and other issues, Anishinabek Nation is encouraging its citizens to participate in the 2011 census.
“We are actively promoting collection of information from Anishinabek communities so we can gather specific data about our on-reserve and off-reserve citizens,” said Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee, Jan. 20 in a release.
Having that data could ensure adequate funding for programming including education, health care and economic development on and off-reserve.
Anishinabek Nation and Statistics Canada signed a memorandum of understanding establishing a partnership for the complete and accurate enumeration of Anishinabek citizens in the 2011 census and the National Household Survey.
Under terms of the MOU, each chief and council will need to issue a band council resolution authorizing the census and promoting the active participation of community members. Statistics Canada will hire at least one person from each of the Anishinabek member communities to assist in the data collection.
The Anishinabek Nation is promoting the National Household Survey, also known as the long-form census.
“The short-form census is really of no use to us because it does not provide data on such things as Aboriginal status and our socio-economic situation,” Madahbee said. “Completion of the long-form survey is purely voluntary but this is the information that is essential for our funding requirements. This is our chance to get accurate and up-to-date data on the socio-economic status of our communities and our Nation.”