According to the 1970 census, New York State has the tenth largest Indian population in the United States; 1978 tribal enrollment was 12,500--up about 25% over 1970. The nine Indian reservations are owned and occupied by Iroquois, Poospatuck, and Shinnecock Indians, all of whom are indigenous to New York State. Enrollment in the Iroquois Confederacy, which includes five nations--the Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas, and Senecas--is determined by lineage. The Cayuga Indians do not have their own reservation, having sold their lands to the State. The total American Indian population, as defined by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, consists of individuals enrolled in a tribe and other persons of at least one-fourth Indian blood. New York State's Indian population includes persons descended from tribes located outside the State. Because tribal lands are tax exempt, Indian nations and tribes enter into contracts with neighboring school districts for the education of their children. Although most Indian children (about 80%) are educated in public schools, three reservation schools, on the Onondaga, St. Regis and Tuscarora Reservations, are operated by local school districts under contract with the State Education Department. The Bureau of Indian Affairs coordinates all State services and provides information and referral services to Indians. Following the narrative section, charts highlight pertinent information. (CM)