The Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians in Michigan would be formally recognized as a federally recognized tribe under this bill, restoring a government-to-government relationship that was effectively ended by a disputed 1870s-era federal decision. Federal recognition would make the tribe eligible for services provided to other recognized tribes, including health care, education, and housing assistance. The bill also establishes a 1,000-acre service area in several Michigan counties and requires the tribe to adopt a constitution within two years.
Congressional Summary
Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians Restoration Act of 2025This bill affirms federal recognition of the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians of Michigan.Specifically, the bill makes the tribe and its members eligible for services and benefits provided to federally recognized tribes, without regard to the existence of a reservation for the tribe or the location of the residence of any member on or near a reservation. The service area of the tribe shall be Newaygo, Oceana, Kent, Muskegon, and Ottawa Counties in Michigan.Further, the tribe must submit a membership roll to the Department of the Interior as a condition of receiving recognition, services, and benefits. The tribe must maintain the membership roll.The bill directs Interior to (1) acquire, for the benefit of the tribe, trust title to land within Muskegon, Newaygo, or Oceana Counties; and (2) accept into trust any real property located in those counties for the benefit of the tribe if the property is conveyed to Interior and, at the time of such acceptance, there are no adverse legal claims on such property (e.g., outstanding liens, mortgages, or taxes owed).Additionally, the bill allows Interior to (1) acquire additional land for the benefit of the tribe, and (2) take into trust land in specified counties for the benefit of the tribe.Any land taken into trust for the benefit of the tribe shall, upon request of the tribe, be considered part of the tribe's reservation.
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- Senate
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in Senate
- Action Date
- 2025-06-25
- Date Added
- 2026-04-06