Membertou Men’s Society

Our Winter 2023 Spotlight is the Membertou Men’s Society a social group that offers guidance, support and community to Indigenous men and youth. The society operates within Membertou First Nation. 

Details:

• Website: www.facebook.com/Mb2MensS
• Email: [email protected]
• Contact: Ryan Gould, President | Email: [email protected]
• What communities do you serve?  Membertou First Nation
• Can we find your organization on social media? Yes. On Facebook. 

To learn more about the Membertou Men’s Society, read our Q & A with President, Ryan Gould.

What is one program your organization offers that you wish more people knew about? 

We had a wonderful camp for Indigenous male youth last year that I am really proud of. 

We focused on vulnerable youth in the community in our outreach because for all the kids that have supports and opportunity in their lives, there are many that don’t and they get written off, even in their own communities sometimes. We really wanted to focus on identifying the gaps in support and helping to address them – you know. breaking the cycle. 

So the camp was designed to get them out and engaged and let them know they matter. But it was also alot of fun. I think everyone had a good time. And the best compliment we got from those kids is that they said they’d do it again. 

I heard at the beginning that most of them were hesitant but after the end of the weekend a lot of them had a good time and made connection. We have also offered Men’s Retreats. 

How and why was your organization first founded? 

I wanted to end the stigma that men can’t be caregivers – that we can’t show emotion. When we started the Society we were losing people in our community to the opioid epidemic and we took that as a warning sign. It emphasized to me and to a lot of others in the community  that we needed a safe space for people. Again, it’s about breaking the cycle. 

What are the main challenges your organization has faced while trying to meet the needs of the community you serve? 

Getting men engaged and involved. People are busy so it can be hard to get people to commit. And I think. learning to put our pride and egos aside so we can get things done. That’s a key with any group I think, but we’re learning and growing and working together from a place of honesty and I think that’s important. 

How is your organization looking to grow or expand in the future?

We want to strengthening out board and membership. We want to grow with the community and meet the needs as they come. We want more collaboration with other communities. I’d love to see chapters of Men’s Societies in every Indigenous community in Atlantic Canada. 

What are some ways that people interested in your organization can get involved or otherwise support your work?

The best way is to pop in and check out one of our meetings. We really value being able to connect face to face. Our meetings are held bi-weekly at 3 Kateri Street in Membertou First Nation from 6:30 to 830 p.m.. The next meeting is Tuesday, February 14, 2023. And we welcome anyone who wants to come and take part. We usually have a meal, we talk, we listen to music. It’s all about connection and community. 

About Spotlight:

The mission of the Canadian Mental Health Association Nova Scotia Division [CMHA NS] is to ensure all Nova Scotians experience good mental health and well-being.

We recognize that our mission is broad, and that we cannot and will not achieve it alone.

To better meet the mental health needs of all Nova Scotians we are connecting with organizations that are reflective and supportive of Nova Scotians’ diverse experiences, identities and histories, and contribute to the overall well-being of our province with the goal of using our digital platforms to highlight the work of these organizations, increase awareness and help more Nova Scotians get the help they need.

Questions?

Contact Lindsay Miller at [email protected]