Chairman Ron Yob on The Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians fight for federal recognition(01-04-25)

WYCE's Community Closeup (*conversations concerning issues of importance in West Michigan)

On this week's program, WYCE's Phil Tower speaks with Ron Yob, chairman of the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians.

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 resides in Kent, Muskegon and Oceana counties.

Their mission is to provide for the preservation of our way of life and the welfare of their people and to promote and restore the harmony and cooperation between the Grand River Bands, and other Michigan Ottawa and Chippewa bands, and the general public.

Since 1994 the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians’ have worked to petition the government for federal recognition of their tribe.

Yob told us that once they receive federal recognition the tribe can access useful, supportive resources such as tuition, healthcare, and housing assistance.

These opportunities are granted to tribes that are federally recognized, and the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians should be able to access these benefits with no further delay.

The Grand River Bands tribe has long been a vital part of Kent County and the community of western Michigan, and they have agreements with the federal government dating to 1795.