Arctic Resilience: The College Meets Nordic Ambassadors in Yellowknife

Thinking About Arctic Resilience at the Circumpolar Level

In a context marked by profound climatic, political, social and economic transformations, the resilience of Northern territories has emerged as a major strategic pillar. Today, the Arctic is at the centre of numerous international discussions, both because of the challenges it faces and the models of collaboration and innovation it inspires.

It was within this context that an international seminar on Arctic resilience was held yesterday, January 21, in Yellowknife, as part of the official visit of several ambassadors from Nordic countries. The event brought together representatives from diplomatic, scientific, political, community, education and national security sectors, creating a meaningful space for dialogue on issues specific to Northern regions.

The Collège Nordique Seeks to Understand and Adapt

Among other themes, discussions highlighted the importance of higher education institutions in strengthening the ability of Northern territories to adapt, innovate and ensure long-term development.

The College’s participation in this type of meeting reflects its commitment to remaining attentive to the dynamics shaping the future of the North, while positioning postsecondary education as a structuring lever within Arctic resilience strategies.

Natural Convergences with Linguistic and Cultural Issues

The Collège Nordique’s participation in this seminar also helped inform ongoing reflections surrounding the International Forum on the Preservation and Promotion of Minority and Indigenous Languages in the North, which will take place from February 9 to 11, 2026, at the Collège Nordique.

“The event stood out for the quality of its organization and, above all, for the depth of the exchanges that animated the room. The collective energy clearly demonstrated a tangible strengthening of ties between Nordic countries and Canada. I had the privilege of speaking with the Ambassador of Finland about my visit last June, an especially enriching experience. More importantly, networking moments allowed us to initiate promising discussions around the International Forum on Indigenous and Minority Languages in Northern contexts, scheduled for next month,” said Patrick Arsenault, Executive Director of the Collège Nordique.

Although the official invitation to the seminar was primarily related to the College’s role within the postsecondary sector, the discussions held during the event revealed numerous points of convergence with the themes of the forum. Conversations emphasized the importance of trust with communities, the involvement of Indigenous peoples and minority communities—often located in remote regions—as well as collaboration within a Nordic ecosystem built on multisectoral alliances.

These reflections resonate directly with the mission of the Collège Nordique, which works to strengthen access to education, support linguistic vitality and contribute to sustainable relationships with Northern communities.

Strengthening an Institutional Voice Rooted in Community

In a complementary approach, Marilou Pilote, the College’s Marketing and Content Creation Coordinator also participated in the seminar. This involvement aimed to deepen understanding of the issues discussed and strengthen the College’s ability to communicate in a way that is accurate, informed and representative of Northern realities.

As she explains, this immersion is essential to maintaining a credible institutional voice:

“Participating in this event allowed me to better understand what is unfolding around us, both here in the North and internationally. In order to create authentic content that truly reflects the College and its vibrant, diverse community, it is essential to hear these discussions firsthand, observe the dynamics at play and feel the genuine engagement of those involved.”

She also notes that this broader perspective directly strengthens the quality of the College’s communications:

“This experience helps me carry a more accurate institutional voice, one that is grounded in community realities and aligned with local and circumpolar issues. And even though I can’t clone myself to be everywhere at once, these exchanges give me the confidence to more faithfully represent what is happening on the ground and to ensure accurate dissemination of our work to partners within the future international thematic network currently under development.”

Education as a Pillar of Northern Resilience

A clear message emerged from the seminar: Nordic territories and countries that demonstrate strong resilience are those that invest sustainably in education, research, culture and youth.

Postsecondary education and continuing education are perceived not as isolated sectors, but as essential infrastructures for social cohesion, knowledge transmission and the preparation of future generations. They also play a critical role in strengthening citizens’ trust in those in leadership positions, while contributing to the development of media literacy.

In a political context marked by heightened tensions and rapid technological evolution, these dimensions have become essential to equip populations to confront misinformation, foster critical thinking and support informed civic participation, including in remote Northern regions.

For the Collège Nordique, the only accredited French-language postsecondary institution north of the 60th parallel in the world, this vision confirms the importance of its role within the Nordic ecosystem, in constant dialogue with the political, social, economic and cultural realities of the North.

An International Forum to Continue the Dialogue

The International Forum on the Preservation and Promotion of Minority and Indigenous Languages in the North builds directly on these discussions. It will bring together speakers from several Nordic territories and countries, including Alaska, the Northwest Territories, Yukon, Nunavut, Iceland, Scotland and others.

The forum contributes to the development of an international thematic network. Collège Nordique is undertaking steps to have this network recognized within UArctic, with the goal of fostering exchange, collaboration, and the sharing of best practices among Northern actors.

By engaging in these spaces of dialogue, the Collège Nordique reaffirms its commitment to actively contributing to a strong, inclusive educational ecosystem connected to Northern realities, in service of communities and the future of the North.

Published on January 22nd 2026