Category: In The News

DATE: Tuesday, May 24, 2022 

LANSING – Chairman Ron Yob of the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians issued the following statement regarding  Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s letter sent May 23 to the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) regarding the tribe’s petition for federal recognition. 

“The Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians applauds Gov. Whitmer for urging the U.S. Department of the Interior to promptly issue its proposed findings on our federal recognition petition. Our tribal citizens desperately need the resources afforded to federally recognized tribes such as healthcare, housing and education.  

I also want to thank our country’s first Native American Secretary of Interior, Deb Haaland, for putting our petition back on active consideration. We know that with the support of the Governor and members of the Michigan Congressional delegation, our petition will receive fair and swift consideration. Furthermore, I want to say ‘Mii Gwitch’ (thank you) to the many tribal leaders in Michigan that have supported our recognition petition.  

However, I am deeply concerned and disappointed that another tribe is attempting to pressure the Governor to give away some of our homelands in order to build an off-reservation casino on the treaty lands of our Tribe. This is morally wrong and unjust, and we call on Governor Whitmer to reject this cynical effort. 

I have the greatest respect for Governor Whitmer, and she fully understands the history of the tribes in Michigan. It is shameful that another tribe would seek to alienate our people from the lands of their ancestors. I am hopeful that Governor Whitmer will preserve and protect the lands of the Grand River Bands for generations to come. 

And let me just say that when we achieve our federal recognition – we will explore economic opportunities that will benefit tribal members and local communities.” 

The Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians is state recognized tribe and has been “active consideration list” with the U.S. Department of the Interior since 2013. While on its last step for being recognized, the petition was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

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. The Grand River Bands have also launched digital ads and billboards in the Lansing area as part of the campaign. 

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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 residents in Kent, Muskegon and Oceana counties. 

LANSING – The Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians today applauded a resolution supporting the tribe’s long overdue petition for federal recognition and renewed its call for federal officials to recognize the tribe after years of inaction and delays, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Rep. David LaGrand introduced the resolution in the Michigan House of Representatives, encouraging the U.S. Department of the Interior to approve the Grand River Bands’ petition, which has been on the “active consideration list” since 2013. The tribe has been working to gain federal recognition for nearly three decades. 

“We want to thank Rep. LaGrand for introducing this important resolution, and we hope the full Legislature will add its voice to our mission to achieve federal recognition,” said Ron Yob, chairman of the Grand River Bands. “For too long, the lack of recognition has unjustly and unfairly deprived our tribal members of key resources such as health care and educational opportunities which are afforded to federally recognized tribes. We continue to urge federal officials to approve our petition as soon as possible.” 

The resolution comes after multiple lawmakers wrote letters to the U.S. Department of the Interior urging swift action on the tribe’s petition for federal recognition.  

“I am calling on my colleagues in the Michigan Legislature to approve this resolution in support of the Grand River Bands, a tribe with deep roots and amazing history in West Michigan,” LaGrand said. “We ask that the Department of the Interior issue a speedy determination on the Grand River Bands’ petition, as federal recognition would allow the tribe to access vital resources.” 

Federal recognition would allow the Grand River Bands to access resources that are only afforded to federally recognized tribes like tuition, health care and housing assistance. The Grand River Bands were recognized by the 1838 Treaty of Washington, and this recognition was strengthened by the 1855 Treaty of Detroit. 

The Michigan House resolution can be viewed online. 

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