Membertou and YMCA sign health agreement

Membertou First Nation and the Frank Rudderham YMCA in Sydney will work together to promote healthy living in the First Nations community. 

The two have signed a memorandum of understanding. Under the agreement, Membertou will pay 80 per cent of YMCA membership fees for band members.

Membertou Chief Terry Paul says it's important to encourage families to be healthy.  

"We need healthy adults in order to be able to continue the prosperity of our community," he says. "So, what's better than to ensure our children are living healthy lifestyles?"  

Cape Breton YMCA CEO André Gallant said Membertou has the same goal as his organization. 

"I think this is turning into a true partnership where we have common outcomes in mind," he said.

"Certainly one of the first things (band adviser) Dan Christmas said to us is 'this community's priorities are children,' and 'can the YMCA help us with that?' And absolutely we can."

The president and CEO of YMCA Canada was also on hand for the signing ceremony. Scott Haldane said he would like to see the Y get involved with other First Nations communities in Cape Breton.

"The Y is situated right here in the urban center of Sydney, and Membertou is right in the community so I think it's a logical place to start," he said.

"The Y has an island-wide mandate here and therefore if this is successful, which we are hoping it will be, it creates a template for doing it elsewhere."

The MOU also sets the stage for a YMCA role in operating the fitness center in the new Membertou Sports and Wellness Centre.

The centre will open in 2016.