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Empowering families to thrive through strength,
resilience, and reunification

The Otipemisiwak Métis Government’s Family Reunification Program walks alongside Indigenous families—Métis, First Nations, and Inuit—through their reunification journey in Edmonton or Bonnyville. Families receive support for a minimum of sixteen (16) months and up to a maximum of three (3) years, based on their individual needs and goals.

Our Guiding Principles

Aligning with traditional Kinship Principles and Métis values, these teachings reflect the importance of sharing, relationship building, and our collective responsibility to children and families. The program recognizes and promotes the importance of cultural connection as a foundation for wellness and belonging throughout Indigenous familial healing journeys. This is achieved by keeping children and families connected to community, culture, language, traditions and identity.

The Goal Can Be Achieved

We aim to reduce the recurrence of child intervention involvement and family separation by connecting families with meaningful supports and services that empower their ability to care for their children within their homes and communities. By providing wraparound, cultural and individualized support for women and men, the goal is for children to return home permanently and for families to remain together.

Eligibility

• Must be ready and open to reuniting with their children.
• Metis, First Nations or Inuit, or have confirmed Indigenous heritage and lineage.
• Be 90 days substance and alcohol-free
• Be prepared to participate in a thorough and intensive family reunification program
• Be committed to the program for a minimum of 16 months
• Be willing to address the barriers and challenges
• Be actively involved in building support plans

FRP Commitments and Readiness document

Supports are Available

The FRP provides wraparound services based on the family’s unique strengths and needs, including:

• Units include essential furnishings as available through individual funding sources
• 24/7 on-site staff support
• Regular support from practitioners through home visits or meetings in spaces where families feel safe
• Individualized support for financial literacy, relationship building, wellness, food security, employment, education, and caregiving
• Connections with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Métis Family Resource Workers, and access to culturally grounded supports, workshops, and gatherings
• Access to community resources and cultural opportunities that strengthen belonging, knowledge sharing, and long-term family stability

Housing and Living

Both the Bonnyville and Edmonton FRP locations provide safe, welcoming, and secure living spaces designed to support families on their reunification journey. Conveniently located near schools, services, and community amenities, each building fosters family connection, cultural belonging, and community engagement. Funding sources are responsible for covering the daily family program rate and program participants are responsible for paying a small damage deposit, reduced monthly rent & utility fees, groceries, and other personal or incidental costs not covered by benefits. This is a secure program with 24 hour staff and support available.

Ready for the next step?

For more information on how to access this referral program, please contact frp@metis.org or 780-455-2200.