Category: In The News

The Grand River Burial Mounds have been around for roughly 2,000 years and stand as one of the most well-preserved sites of Hopewell Indian culture. For the most part, the mounds stand unmarked and undisturbed, and local Indigenous tribes plan to keep it that way.

Hundreds of years ago, Grand Rapids, or Bow-E-Ting (the rapids) in Anishinaabek, was home to a sprawling plum tree orchard utilized by Indigenous women searching for a place of solace.

Former tribal trade route highlighted with educational signage, future site of historical marker

GRAND RAPIDS – More than 200 years ago, members of the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians carried goods to trade over a 10-mile footpath that linked their villages with those at the confluence of the Grand and Thornapple rivers. 

The footpath ran along what is today Fulton Street, Lake Drive and Robinson Road. After local historians learned about the rich history of the area, the significance of this critical trade route is being recognized through educational signage and, eventually, a Michigan Historical Marker. 

“The Grand River Bands have a long and storied history in West Michigan, and we are looking forward to the recognition of this site, which is an important part of history,” said Ron Yob, chairman of the Grand River Bands. “I’m grateful to our partner organizations on this effort and am excited to share this part of our history with the community.” 

The foot path was used to transport goods produced by Ottawa farmers and hunters. In the 1800s, there was a trading post located on the path where Eastown is today. In 1931, city workers dug up human remains and funerary objects associated with the Grand River Bands in Wilcox Park, located a couple blocks east of the convergence of Robinson Road and Lake Drive. 

Steve Staggs, program coordinator at the Eastown Community Association (ECA) and professional historian, brought the idea to memorialize the footpath to the Association’s Board of Directors. Partnering with the Grand River Bands, the ECA received funding for the effort by Experience GR through its Discover Tourism Grant Program. 

The program helps fund projects that improve local neighborhoods, benefit residents and attract tourists. 

“The Eastown Community Association is incredibly proud to help highlight the historical significance of the area and recognize the longtime importance of the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians in our community,” Staggs said. “We’re honored to partner with the tribe and showcase its connection to our neighborhood so future generations can continue to learn about our local history.” 

On Saturday, Oct. 11, the ECA invited neighbors and tribal members to participate in the Plaster Creek Stewards annual Community Planting Day, where attendees planted native plants provided by Plaster Creek Stewards in the large circular planter at the corner of Lake Drive and Robinson Road. The sign and marker will also be installed in this planter. 

The interpretive sign details the historical significance of the area and will provide information to visitors so they can learn more about the Grand River Bands and the tribe’s advocacy for federal recognition.  

The Grand River Bands have advocated for federal recognition for more than three decades, first filing a notice to petition with the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Federal Acknowledgement in 1994. The tribe continues to work with officials on the administrative acknowledgement process. 

At the same time, the tribe is working with members of Congress on bills in the U.S. House and Senate that would reaffirm federal acknowledgement. Recognition would give members access to important resources including social services, education, housing, elder care and the ability to exercise treaty rights, benefits that are only afforded to federally recognized tribes. 

The Grand River Bands and Eastown Community Association will hold an event to unveil the interpretive sign at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27 at 1405 Robinson Road SE. In November, the Michigan Historical Commission will meet to consider language for the historical marker that will be installed in the same area. 

Photos of community planting day and Chairman Ron Yob courtesy of Eastown Community Association 

# # # 

The Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians is a native sovereign nation with agreements with the federal government dating back to 1795. The Grand River Bands originally included 19 bands of Ottawa people who lived along the Grand River and other waterways in southwest Michigan. Most of the Grand River Bands’ current membership resides in Kent, Muskegon and Oceana counties. 

There will also be a Homemade Boat Race after the last Duck Race.

The Boat Race will be for adults 20 years old and above.

Adults must register to enter.

Adults must be present to register.

Adults must be present to win.

Boats must be homemade.

No mechanical powered boats allowed.

Boats must be under 13 inches.

Bill would reaffirm tribe’s status, give members access to critical resources 

GRAND RAPIDS – The Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians applaud the introduction of a bill in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday that would affirm federal acknowledgement of the tribe.

U.S. Sens. Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin introduced the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians Restoration Act in the Senate, which seeks to reaffirm the Grand River Bands as a federally recognized tribe. It is the companion bill to H.R. 3255, which was introduced in May in the U.S. House of Representatives by Reps. Hillary Scholten and John James.

If passed, the bills would give tribal members access to critical federal resources that are only accessed by federally recognized tribes.

“Our tribe is appreciative of Sen. Peters and Sen. Slotkin for introducing this critical legislation, as well as members of the Michigan House congressional delegation who have introduced and are co-sponsoring a bill that brings us closer to federal recognition for our members,” said Ron Yob, chairman of the Grand River Bands. “We applaud these lawmakers for their advocacy for our recognition, which would give our members access to important resources – social services, education, housing, elder care and the ability to exercise our treaty rights – which are only afforded to federally recognized tribes.”

The Grand River Bands have advocated for federal recognition for more than three decades through the federal acknowledgement process administered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Office of Federal Acknowledgement. First filing its notice to petition for acknowledgement in 1994, the tribe completed its petition for federal recognition in 2000. Years later, in 2023, the tribe received a proposed finding from the BIA and continues to work with the Bureau on the administrative acknowledgement process. However, federal recognition through the BIA is still years away.

The Grand River Bands has a long and storied history in Michigan. Between 1795 and 1855, Grand River Bands chiefs signed five separate treaties reaffirming their Constitutional sovereignty and the homelands of their people. The Grand River Bands are the last treaty tribe east of the Mississippi River without federal recognition, even though the tribe’s history in southwestern Michigan has been widely documented.

# # #

The Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians is a native sovereign nation with agreements with the federal government dating back to 1795. The Grand River Bands originally included 19 bands of Ottawa people who lived along the Grand River and other waterways in southwest Michigan. Most of the Grand River Bands’ current membership resides in Kent, Muskegon and Oceana counties.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) reintroduced legislation to grant federal recognition to the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians (GRB).

The Gordon Olsen Award, named for the Grand Rapids historian, is presented by Grand Valley State University’s Kutsche Office of Local History to individuals who use history to give voice to diverse communities.