The Indian Manpower Resource Study (IMRS) was undertaken to provide basic information essential to the planning and development of effective programs to make use of the manpower resource of reservation Indians in Arizona and New Mexico. In the past, decision making has largely been undertaken with a minimum of valid information. The reservations studied were Fort Apache, San Carlos, Acoma, Laguna, and Papago. Data indicate that Indians of the Southwest have substantially lower incomes than other Americans. Also, although most reservation families live in a rural setting, they should not be considered farm families. The study, in addition to income and available manpower supplies, also gathered information on age and sex, family characteristics, industry and occupational experiences, and consumption patterns. This study supports the hypothesis that the creation of on-reservation opportunities would be met by a willing labor force. Generally, information indicates that Indians may require more concentrated efforts to resolve their employment problems than other disadvantaged U. S. citizens because of their relatively greater deprivation. Natural and human resource development of reservations should be encouraged. Industries can be developed in tourism and recreation where feasible. (KM)
