According to the 2000 census, Oregon's Indian population is estimated at 45,147 (1.3%). The same census records that there is a total of 3,472,867 (2001) people in Oregon. That means one out of about every 80 people is an Indian. Oregon's Indian people live all over the state in most of Oregon's cities and towns. Indian people that live in Oregon are Oregon citizens.

Most Oregon's Indian Population have a cultural identity with at least one tribe. Many Indians have cultural identity with several Indian tribes. Some may also identify with other ethnic groups, such as Hispanic, Asian, African American, and Caucasian.

Many Indians live in Oregon and not all of them are from the nine Oregon tribes. There are 500 tribes in the U.S. and there are Indian people from more than 100 different tribes living in Oregon.

There are 21,626 Indians on Oregon Indian Tribal rolls. A Tribal roll is a tribe's census record of who belongs to that tribe. (See chart - Oregon Indian Tribal Enrollment.) A tribe decides who is a member of that tribe based on blood quantum. The U.S. government calculates the census upon a self-declaration basis-a person declares him/herself as a Tribal member. U.S. government and Tribal government population census are not the same.

There is much discussion today about "Who is an Indian?". There are many Indian people who have an Indian ancestor and so can honestly say that they are "part Indian." The federal government and many tribes recognize an Indian as having at least one-fourth blood quantum from a federally recognized tribe. Today, some states and tribes do not require blood quantum, but do require that one be listed on the Tribal roll. Others only require that one's grandparent be a recognized Tribal member.

Many Indian people now live in cities and suburbs. Their ties to the reservation may remain strong. There is a great deal of travel back and forth. Indian children who live in cities attend schools like other children. Many Indian people, even though they live in the city, think it is important for their children to learn about their culture. Urban Indian people have formed organizations. These organizations provide cultural and social activities whether they live on or off the reservation.

Most Indian children in Oregon go to public schools. They may learn about their culture through Title VII and Johnson O'Malley programs. As an example, Portland's Indian Education Program gives assistance to Indian students through tutoring, counseling, and student activity groups. This program also has student and parent advisory committees and referral services and resources. There are a number of Indian organizations in Portland that offer cultural programs. Other cities like Eugene, Salem, Madras, Pendleton, and Klamath Falls have similar programs. There are over 200 schools served in Oregon by Title VII programs.

There are a few public and charter schools located on reservation land that have mostly Indian students. In these schools, cultures and Indian languages are emphasized. In this way, the traditions of the Indian people will not be forgotten.

There is a school in Oregon just for Indian students who do not live on their home reservations. Chemawa Indian High School is located near Salem, with a population of almost 400 students. Chemawa is an off-reservation boarding school. It is for Indian students who come from reservations and communities throughout the United States. Students come from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, California, and Alaska to go to this school.