Alyssa Kaiswatum: Protecting Indigenous identity through the Indigenous Genealogy Society
Alyssa Kaiswatum, a proud member of Piapot First Nation, is on a mission to reclaim, record, and protect Indigenous lineage through her organization, Indigenous Genealogy Society. Based in Regina, Saskatchewan, Alyssa is building a movement rooted in identity, land, and legacy. The organization offers a space for Indigenous people to reconnect with their family trees, oral histories, traditional territories, and ancestral knowledge. “Finding our roots connects us to our ancestors, our identity, and homeland,” she says. For Alyssa, genealogy is not just about names and dates; it is a path to cultural survival, resistance, and a stronger future for the next seven generations.
Indigenous Genealogy Society provides an essential service at a time when much of Indigenous history is at risk of being lost. With elders passing on and mainstream recordkeeping systems failing to accurately reflect Indigenous experiences, Alyssa’s work is both timely and urgent. Her goal is to build a digital platform that centers Indigenous voices and traditional practices, offering tools for recording family history, treaty rights, oral stories, and cultural identity. “Mainstream platforms don’t do our people justice,” Alyssa says. “We need an Indigenous-led space to preserve who we are.” This work will also support researchers, legal advocates, and community leaders who are working to protect land, culture, and sovereignty.
Alyssa’s passion for genealogy began 15 years ago alongside her mother, casually exploring their family history. In the past three and a half years, however, her research has intensified, leading her to document nearly 300 relatives from her own First Nation. One of her proudest discoveries was learning about her great great grandfather, who created the Treaty Four Flag song, a powerful cultural song known across powwow country and Treaty 6 territory. “That connection gave me purpose,” Alyssa shares. “It confirmed the importance of preserving and sharing these stories.”
The idea of joining Pow Wow Pitch came to Alyssa when she stumbled across a link online. “It felt like the opportunity chose me,” she says. That moment marked a turning point. Pow Wow Pitch not only helped her build confidence in presenting herself as a full genealogist but also encouraged her to explore creative storytelling and social media to expand her reach. “It changed how I saw myself,” she says. “It helped me understand the power of innovation and visibility in our work.”
While many entrepreneurs find guidance in formal mentorship, Alyssa points to her ancestors and elders as her greatest influences. “They were the ones who first told me our stories and gave me the lineage that inspired who I am today,” she says. Though some of those voices are no longer here, their wisdom lives on in her work. Their values, teachings, and love for their people continue to guide her in preserving history for generations to come.
Alyssa offers heartfelt advice to aspiring entrepreneurs and changemakers: “You are going to feel uncomfortable, and you may not know anything at all when you start. But trust your heart. If it feels good, go with it. Cry when you need to, but never give up.” She emphasizes the importance of surrounding yourself with supportive people and doing your research. “If you don’t know, reach out. Help will always be there.”
Genealogy is far from easy. Alyssa often spends hours combing through documents, searching through fragmented records, and doing boots on the ground research. But she believes the work is worth it. Her long term vision includes creating a system that not only makes it easier for Indigenous people to access their lineage but also provides a platform to share oral histories and counter pretense-based claims on identity and land. “There is a strong and growing need for cultural reconnection,” she says, particularly as people seek to heal from the legacies of Residential Schools, the Sixties Scoop, and ongoing disenfranchisement.
Watch Alyssa as she pitches Indigenous Genealogy Society in the Startup category airing on September 10, 2025 at 6:00 PM ET. Click here to see all episodes: powwowpitch.org/episodes.