The devastation caused by unemployment among the nation's approximately 2 million American Indians is great. Analysis of January 1985 state unemployment rates reveals an enormous disparity between average state rates and the rates for the state American Indian populations. While the official unemployment rate in 28 states ranged from 5.8% to 12.1%, the state rates for unemployed American Indians ranged from 18% to 66%. Because many Indians stay in metropolitan areas only a short time--quickly becoming discouraged and disillusioned by the high cost of housing, food, and other essentials--accurate urban Indian unemployment statistics are hard to come by. Recent Indian unemplyment rates for cities with large American Indian populations were 40% for Los Angeles, 50% for Omaha, 19% for 23-25 year olds and 45% for youth and older age groups for New York City, and 49% for Minneapolis/St. Paul. Federal programs assisting Native Americans have been severely scaled back with termination of the Comprehensive Employment Training Act and reduction of Johnson-O'Malley education program funding. Direct and indirect federal job creation efforts presently awaiting Congressional action include the American Conservation Corps, Community Renewal Employment Act, The Administration for Native Americans, and Small Business Administration Section 8(a) programs. (NEC)