Tlingit & Haida is sharing an important opportunity for tribal citizens to provide input on proposed changes to the 2030 U.S. Census that could affect how Alaska Native and American Indian people are counted, identified, and represented.

On October 29, 2026, Tlingit & Haida submitted formal comments to the U.S. Census Bureau opposing the proposed changes and raising concerns about their potential impacts on Tribal Nations and Alaska Native communities.

The proposed rule raises two significant concerns:

• Eliminating race and ethnicity questions: The proposal would remove questions that directly identify American Indian and Alaska Native populations from the decennial census. This could make it more difficult to accurately document our communities, identify needs, and advocate for federal resources and services.
• Changing how residency is determined: The proposal would change how the Census Bureau determines where individuals are counted, including consideration of where they spend time during a designated period and the use of tax records. This could impact Alaska Native people who temporarily leave their home communities for medical care, education, employment, subsistence activities, or other reasons.

Accurate Census data is essential to our communities. It helps inform federal funding, housing, health care, education, transportation, infrastructure, and other programs and services that support tribal citizens.

Tlingit & Haida urged the Census Bureau to withdraw the proposed rule until it has meaningfully consulted with Tribal Nations, fully assessed the potential impacts, and demonstrated that any changes will preserve accurate and reliable population data.

Public Comment Deadline: Monday, November 2, 2026

Tribal citizens are also encouraged to submit their own comments.

How to Participate:

1. Visit the official public comment docket on Regulations.gov.
2. Select “Comment” to submit your feedback.
3. Share your personal experiences and perspectives about the importance of accurate Census data and how the proposed changes could affect you, your family, or your community.

Additional Information and Resources

• Tlingit & Haida – October 29, 2026 Comment Letter 
• U.S. Census Bureau – Tribal Consultation Information 
• Native American Rights Fund – Census Information 
• National Congress of American Indians – Census Consultation Resources 

Our people deserve to be accurately counted, represented, and recognized.