The Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians is applauding a new resolution supporting the tribe’s petition for federal recognition, after Rep. David LeGrand called on fellow lawmakers in Lansing to support the tribe’s efforts. According to a press release from Tribe officials, LaGrand introduced the resolution in the Michigan House of Representatives. It encourages the U.S. Department of the Interior to approve the Grand River Bands’ petition, which has been on the “active consideration list” since 2013, while, the tribe has been working to gain federal recognition for nearly three decades.
“There are several rights now that we are denied because of that status," said Ron Yob, is chairman of the Grand River Bands.
So what would Federal recognition mean for the tribe?
“There’s health care, we have Indian Health care right here in our town, but can’t even access it,” Yob said. “We lost millions of dollars in settlement funds that were awarded to us, but because of our status we can’t access them. Those are just some of them, and it goes on and on,” he said.
Last year, United States Representative and Republican Bill Huizenga, who represents Michigan’s 2nd Congressional District, along with U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters, both Michigan Democrats, petitioning the U.S. Department of Interior asking for an expedited decision by year’s end, however, the DOI did not respond.
The tribe says that so far, no explanation has been given other than the request has been tied up in administrative process red tape, which the pandemic has perpetuated.
