Supporting Statement for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions
Form and Instructions for 
American Indian/Alaska Native 
Population and Labor Force Estimate Report 
OMB Control Number 1076-0147

Terms of Clearance: None.

General Instructions 

A Supporting Statement, including the text of the notice to the public required by 5 CFR 1320.5(a)(i)(iv) and its actual or estimated date of publication in the Federal Register, must accompany each request for approval of a collection of information.  The Supporting Statement must be prepared in the format described below, and must contain the information specified.  If an item is not applicable, provide a brief explanation.  

Specific Instructions

B.	Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods

The agency should be prepared to justify its decision not to use statistical methods in any case where such methods might reduce burden or improve accuracy of results.  The following documentation is prepared and submitted to the extent that it applies to the methods proposed:

1.	Describe (including a numerical estimate) the potential respondent universe and any sampling or other respondent selection method to be used.  Data on the number of entities (e.g., establishments, State and local government units, households, or persons) in the universe covered by the collection and in the corresponding sample are to be provided in tabular form for the universe as a whole and for each of the strata in the proposed sample.  Indicate expected response rates for the collection as a whole.  If the collection had been conducted previously, include the actual response rate achieved during the last collection.

Approximately 562 federally recognized Indian Tribes; corporations; and “at-large” Alaska tribal entities, which were formed as a result of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971, will be requested to respond to this congressionally mandated report.  It is expected that up to 85 percent will submit a response.  This is a biennial report, last prepared for 2005 (copy attached) and 83 percent of the Tribal entities responded.  This report is considered an estimate.

2.	Describe the procedures for the collection of information including:

	*	Statistical methodology for stratification and sample selection,

Tribal representatives report actual tribal enrollment numbers and estimated service population, service population employed and unemployed.

	*	Estimation procedure,

All information collected is provided to us by federally-recognized tribal governments.  The data represents actual Tribal population.  It also includes estimates provided by the tribes.  We encourage tribes to work with local county job services offices, county social services, the Bureau of Indian Affairs social services program, from local schools, the Bureau of Indian Education, local community colleges, higher education programs, local employers, social security, and Indian Health Service to develop their estimates of the employed and unemployed within their service area. 

	*	Degree of accuracy needed for the purpose described in the justification,

This reporting period we are attempting a revised format, revised form instruction, working with a Federal/tribal committee to improve the process and providing training opportunities for interested tribes to develop their report.  Upon final collection of data a determination will be made whether the report is sufficiently accurate to proceed collecting the data in the future.   To be considered accurate, at least 85 percent of the approximately 562 Indian entities must report and the data must appear to be sufficiently accurate based upon available documentation in order to justify report publication.  We intend to work with the Office of Management and Budget and congressional representatives to determine the future of the data collection. 

*	Unusual problems requiring specialized sampling procedures, and
There are no unusual problems that would require specialized sampling procedures.

	*	Any use of periodic (less frequent than annual) data collection cycles to reduce burden.
Pub. L. 102-477 mandates the collection of this data biennially. 

3.	Describe methods to maximize response rates and to deal with issues of non-response.  The accuracy and reliability of information collected must be shown to be adequate for intended uses.  For collections based on sampling, a special justification must be provided for any collection that will not yield "reliable" data that can be generalized to the universe studied.

We have attempted to improve clarification of the definitions to ensure tribes are collecting data in a similar manner.  We have also attempted to improve the general instructions for completing the form.  We have worked with a federal/tribal committee to improve the report.  We are providing training opportunities for tribal representatives assisting them in completing the report.  The staff of the Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development will be following-up on all non-respondents.  We will also be contacting by telephone tribal representatives for which we have questions regarding their submissions.  At the completion of this project a review will be conducted to determine whether the information collected is adequate for intended uses.  We will consult with the Office of Management and Budget to discuss the adequacy of the data collected for this report.

4.	Describe any tests of procedures or methods to be undertaken.  Testing is encouraged as an effective means of refining collections of information to minimize burden and improve utility.  Tests must be approved if they call for answers to identical questions from 10 or more respondents.  A proposed test or set of tests may be submitted for approval separately or in combination with the main collection of information.

There will be no test of procedures or methods undertaken.  

5.	Provide the name and telephone number of individuals consulted on statistical aspects of the design and the name of the agency unit, contractor(s), grantee(s), or other person(s) who will actually collect and/or analyze the information for the agency.

Dr. Robert Middleton, Director, Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development and the Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs will review the proposed report.