The American Indian Population and Labor Force Report (AIPLFR) is to provide population and labor force data on American Indians and Alaska Natives who are members of federally recognized tribes eligible for the services provided by the Department of the Interior (DOI). DOI’s Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) developed the AIPFLR and produced 13 reports until 2013. In December 2017, Congress transferred to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) the responsibility for developing and publishing biennial reports, in consultation with tribes, DOI, and the U.S. Census Bureau. DOL’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA), endeavoring to learn from past efforts, commissioned the development of an issue paper that examines past reports and critiques, potential data sources, challenges inherent in developing the AIPLFR as required by statute, and options for resolving those challenges.

The issue paper presents findings from an exploration of the 13 past reports issued by DOI; a review of the data elements required in the law; tribal stakeholders’ views on the scope, frequency and utility of the reports; possible data sources; and the adequacy of tribal level data in the American Community Survey. Tables with population and labor force data at the national and state level are presented in an appendix though no tables with tribal area data are included due to concerns about the accuracy of such data.

The issue paper indicates that likely sources for tribal level data each have significant benefits and drawbacks and that a key challenge will be how to respect tribal sovereignty and yet also allow for accurate data collection consistent with federal standards to which DOL must adhere.