Statistics suggest that American Indian higher education in Oklahoma has made significant progress over the past quarter century. However, a new era of higher education is beginning in which higher admission standards, higher tuition costs, and decreased financial aid will take their toll on American Indian enrollment. An estimated 25-40% of potential American Indian students will not enroll in Oklahoma colleges during 1990-91 due to higher admission standards. Universities maintain that minority enrollments will not be affected by the new standards, but such statements are usually based on the rather demeaning practice of allowing a percentage of minority students to enroll under lesser standards. Due to the political consequences, liabilities, and lack of respect involved in being tagged as a "spokesman," only a few individuals and organizations have been willing to speak out on Indian affairs. Tribal government, which is in a position to speak for tribal members and which should be the true spokesman on Indian affairs, is rarely heard. It is time for tribal governments to exert themselves and to use their legal, sovereign right regarding the educational representation of their respective tribal members in the State of Oklahoma. This paper contains statistics on American Indian enrollment from 1979-83 in 30 Oklahoma state colleges, junior colleges, and universities. (SV)