Health
Breast & Cervical Cancer
Rental Housing
Violent Crime
Self-Sufficiency
Basic Needs
Physical Activity
Nutrition
Minorities
Mental Health
Childhood Immunizations
Heart Disease
Health Care Coverage
Feeling Well
Traffic Crashes
Communicable Diseases
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Population Percentages
In Missoula County, 3.9% of the population is identified as minority (compared to 7.3%
statewide). Of the minority population, 2.3% is American Indian, 1.1% Asian, 0.2%
African-American, and 0.3% other. Although it is not a race category, 1.2% of the
population identifies itself as of Hispanic origin. (Maternal Child Health Report 1996)
Missoula’s American Indians
Occasionally in this report we have identified specific data or concerns associated
with American Indians, but effectively presenting the range of concerns or an adequate
context to understand them is beyond the current scope and goals of the Measures project.
Indians in Missoula are a diverse mix, with more than 20 tribes from Alaska to the
Southwest represented. These tribes are culturally distinct and sometimes have little in
common. Most Missoula Indians are from Montana tribes and many spend some time on
reservations and some in Missoula. Although the census found 2.3% of the population to be
American Indian, the Missoula Indian Center has estimated that 5–6% is more
realistic. In terms of income, education, housing conditions, and employment, Indians fare
worse than the average Missoulian, and this probably correlates with poorer health status.
Some chronic diseases such as Type II diabetes and alcoholism are special concerns.
School Based
Programs Assist Minority Students
Since 1978, MCPS has pursued federal funding (Title 9 grants of various sizes and
duration) to provide additional support for minority students in Missoula County. With the
fall of Vietnam in 1975, Hmong refugees began to arrive in Missoula (currently, there are
79 students enrolled in Missoula County schools). In 1990, a persecuted evangelical
Christian group began to arrive from the Soviet Union; (currently, 138 Belarussian
students). In recent years, some Title 7 funds and Title 9 funds have been obtained to
bolster the district’s assistance to American Indian students (currently, 350
students from 35 tribes). Services include bilingual tutors, after school language
classes, summer school. Starla Klevenberg is the teacher/coordinator, visiting schools
providing tutoring and cultural enrichment activities, as well as conferring with parents
about services, etc. Indian students generally fall into two categories: 1) those
associated with students at UM, and 2) those making Missoula a permanent home and there is
a wide range of educational, income and modern vs. traditional backgrounds. (Betsy
Williams 542-4017)
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