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TRIPARTITE FORUM
December 2, 2003
Partnership for a Healthier Mi’kmaw Population
The 13 Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs, the Province of Nova Scotia and the Government of Canada have committed $150,000 to the Mi’kmaq Youth, Recreation and Active Circle for Living (MYRACL) to promote active lifestyles in Mi’kmaw communities.
The MYRACL initiative was endorsed during the Tripartite
Forum executive meeting in November attended by Robert Nault, Minister
of Indian and Northern Affairs, Michael Baker, Minister of Aboriginal
Affairs, and the Nova Scotia Chiefs.
Robert Bernard, executive director of MYRACL, feels the partnership
will create positive outcomes through sport and recreation activities
for First Nations peoples.
“We’re excited about the opportunity to promote and present healthy choices to children and youth and move towards healthy, active living,” Bernard said.
Minister Baker said the promotion of healthy lifestyles in First Nations should lead to a healthier population in the future.
Bernard said the first steps include hiring a staff person and identifying the needs on Nova Scotia’s 13 First Nations communities. Bernard then plans to help the communities develop the resources for sport and recreation activities.
The Tripartite Forum was formally established in 1997 as a partnership between the Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq, Province of Nova Scotia and Government of Canada to strengthen relationships and resolve outstanding Mi’kmaw issues.