Pokagon Tribal Census
Project PROFILE
Client:
Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians
Project Location:
Dowagiac, MI
Project Time Frame:
October 2017 – November 2018
Services:
Household Survey
Analysis of Newly Collected Data
Needs Assessment
Areas of Focus:
Child and Elder Care
Demographics
Economic Development
Education
Employment
Governance and Management
Health
Housing
Income and Finances
Language and Culture
Project Description
The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians conducts a Tribal Census every five years to support a constitutionally mandated comprehensive planning process. Big Water Consulting assisted the Band with its 2018 Tribal Census, working with a large group of tribal stakeholders to design the survey instrument, develop a data collection strategy, and coordinate data collection using a mixed-methods approach. Survey packets were mailed to all adult Pokagon citizens on record with the Enrollment Office, including those overseas. The 3,270 citizens invited to participate were also given an option to complete the survey online. The resulting dataset is currently being used to inform decisions related to land acquisition, economic development, education spending, program administration, and the development of new services.
