Category: In The News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
DATE: Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023 
CONTACT: Sydney Smith, Byrum & Fisk Advocacy Communications, ssmith@byrumfisk.com, 586-212-3103 

LANSING – The Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians pledged to continue their advocacy for federal recognition and address additional information requested by the U.S. Department of the Interior. 

“While we disagree with the U.S. Department of the Interior’s initial findings on our petition, we are confident we can provide the additional information requested and ultimately achieve the long overdue federal recognition for our tribal members,” said Ron Yob, chairman of the Grand River Bands. “The Grand River Bands has a long history in Michigan, with agreements with the federal government dating back to 1795, and we are a state recognized tribe. We have support from numerous lawmakers, including Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, other tribes, business groups, community organizations and West Michigan residents who have and continue to advocate alongside us, and we remain confident we will be granted federal recognition and be able to provide justice and critical resources for our members.” 

The Grand River Bands have advocated for their federal recognition for nearly three decades. Federal recognition would allow tribal members to access critical resources such as tuition, health care and housing assistance, among many others.
 

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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. 

Snow Snake Competition takes place during World of Winter

GRAND RAPIDS – The Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians is partnering with Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. for a fun, engaging competition in a 500-year-old traditional game.

Part of the World of Winter festival in downtown Grand Rapids, beginning at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 5, at Sixth Street Park, the Great Lakes Snow Snake Competition will involve throwing handmade, wooden “snakes” through a snow track to see who can send theirs the farthest.

Snow snake is a traditional Native American winter sport that has been played by many tribes in the Great Lakes region. Snow snakes are made from carved pieces of wood.

“The Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians is excited to bring this traditional game to World of Winter,” said Ron Yob, chairman of the Grand River Bands. “We invite the West Michigan community to experience part of our culture, learn a new game and join in the fun.”

Participants must construct their own snake to compete and practice snakes will be available for all to try. Tribal members from around the state are planning to attend and compete in the event, making it a fun spectator opportunity for those just looking to watch.

Registration for the Snow Snake Competition is free and begins at 11 a.m. The winning individual will earn a prize of $500. For more information, view the Facebook event page.

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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.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
DATE: Thursday, June 30, 2022

Rights to health care, housing and education assistance are among those provided to the tribe with federal recognition 

LANSING, Mich. – The Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians is applauding the Michigan Senate for approving a resolution urging the U.S. Department of the Interior to approve the tribe’s petition for federal recognition. 

Introduced by Sen. Mark Huizenga, R-Walker, Senate Resolution 151 states that federal recognition is needed to provide Grand River Bands members rights to health care, housing and education assistance, as well as other resources, that are provided to federally recognized tribes. 

“We are thankful to Sen. Huizenga for supporting our tribe and honoring our deep roots here in West Michigan,” said Ron Yob, chairman of the Grand River Bands. “We are grateful to the Michigan Senate for approving this important resolution and we continue to urge federal officials to approve our petition as soon as possible.” 

The tribe’s petition has been on the “active consideration list” since 2013, and the petition was awaiting a final review, the last step in the process, before COVID-19 caused a delay. The U.S. Department of the Interior has said it will issue a decision on the tribe’s recognition by Oct. 15. 

The Senate resolution comes after Rep. David LaGrand introduced a similar resolution in the Michigan House of Representatives encouraging the U.S. Department of the Interior to approve the Grand River Bands’ petition. 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: Wednesday, June 15, 2022

Governor’s decision leaves opportunities open for local economic development

LANSING – The Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians issued the following statement after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declined to concur with the Little River Band proposal seeking to build an off-reservation casino in the Muskegon area.

“We applaud Gov. Whitmer for her thoughtfulness and for doing the appropriate due diligence to make this important decision,” said Ron Yob, chairman of the Grand River Bands. “With this decision now made, the Grand River Bands will finalize our federal recognition with the potential of pursuing economic development activities in the Muskegon area. On behalf of our hundreds of tribal members, we applaud Gov. Whitmer for issuing a nonconcurrence decision while our petition for federal recognition is still a pending matter.”

While recognized by the state of Michigan, the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians has been working to gain federal recognition for nearly three decades. Its petition for recognition has been on the “active consideration list” with the U.S. Department of the Interior since 2013 and is on the final step for being recognized.

In April, the Department of the Interior announced it would issue proposed findings on the Grand River Bands’ petition by Oct. 15.

Federal recognition would allow the Grand River Bands to access resources that are only afforded to federally recognized tribes such as tuition, health care and housing assistance.

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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.