Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians Restoration Act of 2025

The Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians Restoration Act of 2025 grants federal recognition to the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians of Michigan, a tribe that has sought official recognition since filing a petition in 2000. This recognition makes the tribe eligible for all federal services and benefits - including healthcare, education, housing, and social programs - without requiring a reservation or proximity to one, covering members in Newaygo, Oceana, Kent, Muskegon, and Ottawa counties. The bill requires the tribe to submit a membership list within 18 months and authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire land in specified counties for the tribe, which can be designated as reservation land. It also reaffirms the tribe’s existing rights and claims that were previously denied under federal law.