New report on Alaskan natives

A report, called “Our Choice, Our Future” concludes that at least three areas needed to be addressed for Alaska natives: improving public education, addressing health issues, creating jobs and lowering the cost of living.

The report, issued last Friday, provides a wide-ranging look at Alaska natives, including how its indigenous people are doing in areas of population, health, economics and education.

This report analyzes the Status of Alaska Natives Report 2004, which polled 139,000 natives in Alaska.

Also among the findings:

* Smoking among native teenagers has dropped since 1995, but is still more than three times the rate among non-native teens;
* The number of natives who are college graduates tripled between 1980 and 2000, but they are still 50 per cent less likely to earn a bachelor’s degree than a non-native;
* the rate of home ownership among natives has dropped from 77 percent in 1960 to 59 percent in 2000, while for non-natives the trend was reversed.