Supporting Métis People to reclaim their roots

For many Métis individuals living in the South Okanagan region of B.C., discovering who you are isn’t just out of curiosity, but a matter of justice, belonging and healing. Generations of colonial policies have displaced families, records have been destroyed, misplaced or inaccessible (i.e. birth, adoption and marriage certificates), and erased Métis identities. Today, many Métis people are left with unanswered questions about their ancestry and face obstacles when trying to apply for Métis citizenship and receive recognition.

That’s where the South Okanagan Similkameen Métis Association (SOSMA) organization can help.

With determination and compassion, SOSMA, an Alongside Hope partner, has been supporting persons who identify as Métis through the process of searching through old records, piecing together family trees, and reconnecting with their heritage. Thanks to a $10,000 grant from Alongside Hope’s Indigenous Responsive Grant Fund (from October 2023 to September 2024), SOSMA has already helped 20 Métis people successfully apply for and achieve citizenship.

A new $15,000 grant, from May 2025 to April 2026, is expected to support an additional 20 to 50 individuals. In many cases, once a person’s application is complete and their family tree is verified, their siblings and children can use the same documentation to apply for citizenship too.

As part of its 2024-2029 Strategic Plan, Alongside Hope affirms reconciliation as a guiding principle, recognizing the need to listen deeply, build relationships rooted in respect and justice, and walk alongside Indigenous and marginalized communities in Canada and around the world. Reconciliation shapes how we partner, learn, and respond in our shared pursuit of a just, healthy, and peaceful world.

Each application represents more than just paperwork, but a person finally being seen for who they truly are. A grandmother uncovering her lineage. A young man finding pride in his roots. A family reconnecting with culture once thought to be lost.

With renewed funding, SOSMA will continue offering personalized support, helping community members navigate a complicated and emotional process that so many have been forced to do alone.