‘We Are Part Of The United States’: The 1st People Counted For The 2020 Census
In the fishing village of Toksook Bay, Alaska, the 2020 census officially began last month. The national head count starts in remote Alaska in January because the frozen ground makes it easier to reach the distant communities.
Older residents still remember when they moved their homes, pulled by dog sled, from neighboring Nightmute, Alaska, to make what was once a fishing camp into a permanent settlement. Now dogs abound, but the moving of goods is mainly done with snow machines and all-terrain vehicles.
Lizzie Chimiugak Nenguryarr, an elder of Toksook Bay who recently celebrated what she considered to be at least her 90th birthday, was the first person counted for the 2020 census.
—
“the true test of civilization is not the census,
not the size of the cities,
nor the crops – no,
but the kind of man the country turns out.”
-ralph waldo emerson
A fun and informative post, Beth! Considering Alaska holds some of the oldest indigenous peoples in the United States, it seems like the perfect place to start.
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it seems very logical to me –
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another nugget of great information. I only learned the word Census when we nearly failed to be counted in England. We weren’t at home when a person passed and had to ask friends. What are these strange papers which cannot possibly concern us, as we are foreigners?! …..
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wow!
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Neat! I heard an interview on radio yesterday with the head of the Census, and he mentioned Alaska, and the reason for beginning there. I’d been distracted and hadn’t filled out my form, so I did that yesterday, too.
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it’s probably the last thing on people’s minds right now –
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The kind of men and women we produce. Truth. Thank you Beth.
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it is – and you are very welcome
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Cheers for being counted with an exclamation point, Beth.
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yes!
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Such a fascinating place and an interesting little read. Thanks for sharing Beth.
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my pleasure –
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Very interesting post Beth. Thanks
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my pleasure
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B1, I am forever impressed with the variety of interesting and enriching knowledge you share with us. You are the conduit through which we all grow!
Thank you,
D1
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thank you –
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I filled out the online questionnaire last week. Pretty simple stuff.
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Me too
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great Emerson quote. And God bless the people of Toksook Bay; while it sounds like it would be a fascinating place to visit, I do not think I could survive the cold weather!
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Me either! I’m quite sure of it )
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❤️
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❤️
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That’s such a great story and picture. It totally makes sense with the remote villages. Being counted counts 🙂
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It sure does
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I love Emerson and this story is remarkable.
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Me too, and it really is –
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Love this – thanks so much for sharing!
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Absolutely-
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Interesting post Beth!
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thanks, ute. i’m endlessly fascinated by the world
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Wow, that was interesting. You never know how many populations are out there which were never seen or heard and therefore are unknown (good for them).
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that’s so true –
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😊
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She’s so beautiful and I bet her stories are wonderful to hear.
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Can you even imagine?
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It never occurred to me that someone had to be the first of the census. Now I know! And I love the information.
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absolutely, and glad you enjoyed it!
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What a fascinating culture. It’s so interesting to see how people in the same country can lead such different lives.
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it is amazing –
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These census forms are great later on for geneology. I’ve found interesting professions in old family members and even if they could read or not (used to be a question).
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Something I hadn’t even thought of, great!
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What a timely quote. Great post.
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thank you – it is important in many ways
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Neat!
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It is!
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So glad they are included now! Good hard working, hard living people,.
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yes-
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❤️
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❤️
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Pingback: census. — I didn’t have my glasses on…. – Truth Troubles
thank you –
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fascinating! I loved reading about it!
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