Press Release: Los Angeles Urban Indian Roundtable
LOS ANGELES HIGHLIGHTS (IN)VISIBILITY AND THE STATE OF AMERICAN INDIANS
LOS ANGELES- The Los Angeles Urban Indian Roundtable is excited to announce the steps it is taking to address the visibility of American Indian/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) in Los Angeles County. The representatives of this Roundtable support the need for research, analysis of existing policies, and advocacy to raise the quality of life for AI/AN.
Due to the invisibility of the AI/AN community in Los Angeles, the Roundtable is highlighting that there are more AI/ANs in this county than any other county according to the 2010 Census. On September 28, 2012, California will recognize Indian Day, creating an opportunity for the AI/AN community to celebrate and for the Roundtable to inform the public of challenges facing the community. Some disparities from the attached research summary:
- 22.7% of AI/AN children live in poverty compared to 11.7% of all other children in the county
- 16% of AI/AN high school students are college ready compared to the overall rate of 67%
- AI/AN exhibit the highest rates of diabetes, asthma and morbid obesity
In the coming weeks, the Roundtable will release a series of policy briefs about AI/AN in Los Angeles.
Funded by The California Wellness Foundation, the quantitative briefs will be conducted by the University of California Los Angeles Lewis Center, School of Public Affairs. The Roundtable has provided guidance and insight to the priority areas for the research and is committed to use the findings for potential policy changes.
A Report Card will be released during American Indian Heritage Month, November 2012, to provide a snapshot of the state of AI/AN in Los Angeles. A secondary school grading system of A through F will be applied to areas such as:
- Education
- Homelessness and Housing
- Employment
- Health
Accompanying the grading scale and profile snapshots, a strong slate of recommendations will be put forth by the Roundtable.
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About Us
The Los Angeles Urban Indian Roundtable is a group of stakeholders committed to improving the quality of life for the AI/AN community in Los Angeles County. Stakeholder members include leadership from the American Indian Chamber of Commerce, American Indian Community Council, American Indian Healing Center, American Indian Studies Center at University of California Los Angeles, Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians, Los Angeles City/County Native American Indian Commission, Pukúu Cultural Community Services, Red Circle Project, Southern California Indian Center, Title VII at Los Angeles Unified School District, Torres Martinez Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and United American Indian Involvement.
