Resources

Outdated Census definitions and poor data quality have led to a misunderstanding about the size and significance of the rural Native American population. Unfortunately, in an era of data-driven decision-making and increased demands for efficiency and impact, small and rural Native communities are often left behind – twice invisible. Referred to as “Asterisk Nation” by the National Congress of American Indians, these Native communities and their citizens are often invisible to funders and policymakers. Recent research suggests that only three-tenths of 1% of all foundation funding is directed to Native American causes in the U.S

Learn more in "Twice Invisible: Understanding Rural Native America" by Sarah Dewees & Benjamin Marks, First Nations Development Institute.