Five area tribes come together for census count

HEALDSBURG — The leaders of five Sonoma County tribes have
scheduled a joint meeting next Monday to discuss plans to make sure
all area Native Americans are fully counted in April’s 2010
census.
The meeting, and a barbeque luncheon, open to all Sonoma County
Native Americans, is to be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the
offices of the Dry Creek Rancheria in Healdsburg.
“The purpose of the gathering is to create a welcoming
atmosphere for the Native community to come together and learn
about the importance of being counted in this year’s census,” said
Harvey Hopkins, Chairman of the Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo
Indians.
“This is a call to action for tribal members to spread the
word,” he said. “We want our community to know that all the tribal
leaders support participation in the betterment of our future.”
According to Dry Creek officials, the gathering is the first
aimed to assemble members from five separate tribes in the
county.
Participating tribes include the Dry Creek Rancheria Band of
Pomo Indians, Lytton Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians, Kashia Band of
Pomo Indians, Cloverdale Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians and
Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria.
The Sonoma County Indian Health Project (SCIHP) will also be
participating. The SCIHP provides medical, dental and health
education services to all five tribes and has been deemed a Tribal
Organization by four of them.
Information provided at the luncheon will stress the positive
impact of a successful and accurate Native population count to help
direct funds for services essential to the tribes including
services for people in poverty, education, public transportation,
roads and infrastructure, health care and elder care.
In addition to supplementary handouts, 2010 Census prizes will
be awarded via a raffle drawing at the event.
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George Snyder can be reached at ge****@so********.com.