Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians Restoration Act of 2025

H.R. 3255, the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians Restoration Act of 2025, would reaffirm the federal recognition of the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians of Michigan as a federally recognized Indian tribe and clarify the federal-recognition relationship. It authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to place certain tribal lands into trust and to acquire additional land for the tribe, potentially creating or expanding a formal reservation. The bill also requires the tribe to establish a membership roll and ensures the tribe and its members are eligible for the full range of federal services and benefits available to federally recognized tribes, with a defined service area in western Michigan. The overall aim is to restore federal recognition, provide a path to land and services, and preserve the tribe’s political and social existence. The bill’s findings provide historical context about the tribe’s origins, prior recognition efforts, and past legislative and administrative actions affecting Michigan Odawa/Ottawa groups. By reaffirming recognition and enabling land trust acquisition, the bill seeks to address long-standing governance and service-delivery gaps experienced by the tribe and its members.