TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Cherokee Nation and YWCA Tulsa recently signed an agreement to launch the Public Health and Wellness Fitness Partners Program which pays up to $25,000 covering 50% of gym membership fees for Cherokee Nation citizens to join their gyms.
All YWCA Tulsa locations are participating in the program, including the Patti Johnson Wilson Center at 21st and Lewis, and East Community Center at 17th and Memorial.
“Wellness of our Cherokee Nation citizens continues to be of most importance to my administration,” Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said. “We have previously signed five additional memorandums of understanding with area gyms that have seen great success with this program. We are thrilled to add the YWCA Tulsa as another partner, as this will provide citizens with support and resources on their health and wellness journeys in even more areas across the Cherokee Nation Reservation.”
Cherokee citizens who participate will gain access to YWCA Tulsa’s Health Equity and Wellness services which includes group fitness classes, personal training, free childcare, two swimming pools and hot tubs, wellness workshops and more.
“Cherokee Nation is pleased to continue to partner with great partners across the Cherokee Nation Reservation, like the YWCA Tulsa. With these partnerships, we can guarantee citizens have access to facilities that prioritize physical health and wellness,” Cherokee Nation Deputy Principal Chief Bryan Warner said.
“This is a very exciting way to continue serving our community,” said Erika Vasas, Senior Director of Strategy, Data and Administration at YWCA Tulsa. “By extending this discount to Cherokee Nation citizens, we further our shared mission of accessible wellness and healthy living for all.”
In 2021, Chief Hoskin, Deputy Chief Warner and the Council of the Cherokee Nation enacted the Public Health and Wellness Fund Act. The law, among other things, earmarks a small portion of the tribe’s third-party health revenue mostly for Cherokee Nation behavioral health and physical wellness programs.
PHWFA funds the subsidized gym membership partnerships, as well as some of the tribe’s major health initiatives such as new wellness centers and smaller projects such as walking trails.
Other gyms who have pilot programs include Pryor Creek Recreation Center, Grand Lake Family YMCA, The Richard Kane YMCA of Bartlesville, Muskogee Swim and Fitness Center, the YMCA of Greater Tulsa and now YWCA Tulsa.
Non-profit gyms in and around Cherokee Nation can reach out to learn more about the Fitness Partners Program by emailing
For Cherokee Nation citizens wanting to join YWCA Tulsa or questions can visit the website at https://www.ywcatulsa.org/.