Participatory Workshop in French : The Challenges of Living Together in the NWT

How Can We Live Together Better in the Diverse North?

This roundtable invites Francophones from across the three territories to collectively reflect on the realities of living together in the North. Through small-group discussions, participants will be encouraged to explore concrete ways to build more inclusive communities.

This workshop marks the official launch of two new resources offered by Collège Nordique:

• a free, three-module online course introducing equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI)
• a French-language digital EDI library, administered by the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI)

Workshop Format

Based on group interactions, this workshop will explore the challenges and opportunities of living together in the NWT. It aims to build a shared understanding of the conditions, barriers, and possibilities for stronger community cohesion in a diverse northern context. Under the facilitator’s guidance, participants will be divided into 3 or 4 small breakout groups for around 30 minutes to reflect on the discussion questions below.

Participants will be encouraged to draw from their own community experiences to identify both challenges and good practices related to inclusive living. Each group will then share a summary of its key takeaways during the plenary session.

No prior knowledge of EDI concepts or policies is required. Community life experience and a willingness to contribute to collective reflection are more than enough to participate meaningfully.

Discussion Topics

Topic 1: Diversity and Living Together

• What forms of diversity exist in the NWT?
• What does “living well together” mean to you in this northern context?
• How can diversity serve as a tool to strengthen inclusive community life in the NWT?

Topic 2: Living Together and Indigenous Realities in the NWT

• How can we promote inclusion without erasing Indigenous peoples?
• What makes Indigenous peoples distinct among historically marginalized groups in the NWT?
• Do you see a point of convergence between EDI efforts in the NWT and Indigenous issues?

Topic 3: Unconscious Bias and Discrimination

• What individual or collective attitudes create barriers to inclusion in our workplaces and communities?
• How do these attitudes affect people’s daily lives in northern spaces?
• What can we do to reduce the impact of bias and promote more inclusive environments?

About the Facilitator

Amadou Mfondi is a specialist in diversity policies in multicultural societies. He holds a PhD in conflict studies and currently serves as EDI Coordinator for Francophone Immigration at the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne (FCFA) of Canada. Passionate about education and research, he also teaches part-time at various Francophone universities across Canada.

His expertise includes identity-based conflict, multiculturalism, inclusive leadership, and community governance in minority-language contexts. He regularly designs and leads trainings on equity, diversity, and inclusion, with a collaborative and transformative approach.

Practical Information

• Date: August 7, 2025
• Time: From 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. (MT)
• Format: Online only
• Target audience: Francophone residents of the three territories
• Free event