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PUBLIC LAW 103-324—SEPT. 21, 1994 108 STAT. 2157 sions of such Act, the Bands were denied the opportunity to reorganize. (6) In spite of such denial, the Bands continued their pohtical and social existence with viable tribal governments. The Bands, along with other Michigan Odawa/Ottawa groups, including the tribes described in paragraph (2), formed the Northern Michigan Ottawa Association in 1948. The Association subsequently pursued a successful land claim with the Indian Claims Commission. (7) Between 1948 and 1975, the Bands carried out many of their governmental functions through the Northern Michigan Ottawa Association, while retaining individual Band control over local decisions. (8) In 1975, the Northern Michigan Ottawa Association petitioned under the Act of June 18, 1934 (25 U.S.C. 461 et seq.; commonly referred to as the "Indian Reorganization Act"), to form a government on behalf of the Bands. Again in spite of the Bands' eligibility, the Bureau of Indian Affairs failed to act on their request. (9) The United States Government, the government of the State of Michigan, and local governments have had continuous dealings with the recognized political leaders of the Bands from 1836 to the present. SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Act— (1) the term "Bands" means the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians and the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians; (2) the term "member" means those individuals enrolled in the Bands pursuant to section 7; and (3) the term "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Interior. SEC. 4. FEDERAL RECOGNITION. (a) FEDERAL RECOGNITION.— Federal recognition of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians and the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians is hereby reaffirmed. All laws and regulations of the United States of general application to Indians or nations, tribes, or bands of Indians, including the Act of June 18, 1934 (25 U.S.C. 461 et seq.; commonly referred to as the "Indian Reorganization Act"), which are not inconsistent with any specific provision of this Act shall be applicable to the Bands and their members. (b) FEDERAL SERVICES AND BENEFITS. — (1) IN GENERAL.—The Bands and their members shall be eligible for all services and benefits provided by the Federal Government to Indians because of their status as federally recognized Indians, and notwithstanding any other provision of law, such services and benefits shall be provided after the date of the enactment of this Act to the Bands and their members without regard to the existence of a reservation or the location of the residence of any member on or near any Indian reservation. (2) SERVICE AREAS. — (A) LITTLE TRAVERSE BAY BANDS. —For purposes of the delivery of Federal services to the enrolled members of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, the area of the State of Michigan within 70 miles of the boundaries of the reservations for the Little Traverse Bay Bands as 25 USC 1300k-L 25 USC 1300k-2.
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