Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians Restoration Act of 2024

S 5227, the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians Restoration Act of 2024, would formally grant federal recognition to the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians of Michigan, a tribe that has sought recognition since 2000 but remains unrecognized despite meeting all legal criteria under the Michigan Indian Land Claims Settlement Act. The bill directly affects the tribe's enrolled members, enabling them to access all federal services and benefits available to federally recognized tribes, including social services, education, housing, and healthcare, without requiring reservation land or specific residence locations. Key provisions include affirming federal recognition (Section 4), guaranteeing eligibility for federal programs (Section 5), requiring the tribe to establish a membership roll within 18 months (Section 7), and authorizing the Secretary of the Interior to acquire land in specified Michigan counties for the tribe (Section 8). This legislation addresses a decades-long delay in recognition that has denied the tribe access to critical federal resources and services.