The first American Indian Day was celebrated in May 1916 in New York. Red Fox James, a Blackfeet Indian, rode horseback from state to state getting endorsements from 24 state governments to have a day to honor American Indians. In 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed a joint congressional resolution designating November 1990 as “National American Indian Heritage Month.” Similar proclamations have been issued every year since 1994.
Here are some facts about American Indians and Alaska Natives from the U.S. Census Bureau.
- As of July 1, 2007, there were an estimated 4.5 million American Indians and Alaska Natives, including those of more than one race. They made up 1.5 percent of the total population.
- There will be a projected 8.6 million American Indians and Alaska Natives, including those of more than one race, on July 1, 2050. They would comprise two percent of the total population.
- The nation’s American Indian and Alaska Native population increased by 44,803 from July 1, 2006, to July 1, 2007. The population of this group increased by one percent during the period.
- The median age of the single-race American Indian and Alaska Native population in 2007 was 30.3, younger than the median of 36.6 for the population as a whole. About 27 percent of American Indians and Alaska Natives were younger than 18, and 8 percent were 65 and older.
- The American Indian and Alaska Native population in California was 689,120 as of July 1, 2007, the highest total of any state. California was followed by Oklahoma (393,500) and Arizona (335,381).
- About 8,300 American Indians and Alaska Natives were added to Texas’ population between July 1, 2006, and July 1, 2007. That is the largest numeric increase of any state. Georgia (3.4 percent) had the highest rate of increase during the period.
- There were five states where American Indians and Alaska Natives were the largest race or ethnic minority group in 2007. These states are Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and South Dakota.
- There were 11 states with more than 100,000 American Indian and Alaska Native residents on July 1, 2007. These states were California, Oklahoma, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, New York, Washington, Florida, North Carolina, Michigan, and Alaska. Combined, these states were home to 62 percent of the nation’s American Indian and Alaska Native residents.
- Eighteen percent of of Alaska’s population identified as American Indian and Alaska Native as of July 1, 2007, the highest rate for this race group of any state. Alaska was followed by Oklahoma (11 percent) and New Mexico (10 percent).
- There were 146,500 American Indians and Alaska Natives in Los Angeles County, California, as of July 1, 2007. Los Angeles led all of the nation’s counties in the number of people of this racial category.
Maricopa County, Arizona, added about 2,300 people to this group between July 1, 2006, and July 1, 2007, leading the nation’s counties in this category. - There were $26.9 billion in receipts for American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned businesses in 2002. These businesses numbered 201,387.
- There are 20,380 American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned firms in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Riverside combined statistical area, making that area number one in the metro category. Among counties, Los Angeles had the highest number of firms (13,061).
- There are 38,125 American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned firms in California, which led the states. Oklahoma, Texas, New York, and Florida followed.
- Nearly 3 in 10 American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned firms operatedin construction and other services (such as personal services, and repair and maintenance).
- There are 24,498 American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned firms that had paid employees. These businesses employed 191,270 people.
- There are 3,631 American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned firms with receipts of $1 million or more. These firms accounted for nearly 2 percent of the total number of American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned firms and more than 64 percent of their total receipts.
- There are 178 American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned firms with 100 or more employees. These firms generated nearly $5.3 billion in gross receipts — 24 percent of the total revenue for American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned employer firms.