Collège Nordique continues its commitment to seniors and students 

Good news for our community! 

The funding for the New Horizons for Seniors Program has been renewed for an additional year in the Northwest Territories. This continued support from the federal government highlights the relevance and positive impact of the projects led by Collège Nordique. 

The New Horizons for Seniors Program supports projects that promote intergenerational sharing, social inclusion, and the participation of seniors in the community. It provides grants for initiatives that have a positive impact, including innovative pan-Canadian projects. This funding helps strengthen intergenerational connections and promote the safety of seniors. 

At Collège Nordique, our intergenerational mentoring project has been creating meaningful connections between Indigenous elders and Tłı̨chǫ and Wıı̀lıı̀deh learners since 2019. This initiative not only helps reduce isolation among elders but also contributes to the revitalization of Indigenous languages and cultures while supporting the acquisition of new digital skills. The program allows learners to engage in authentic interactions with native speakers, complementing their classroom learning with real-life exchanges. 

“A year and a half ago, I was paired with Gaëlle. When we started meeting, we noticed that we have the same personality and the same mannerisms. I really liked it! We did our lessons here at Collège Nordique, and after the project was over, we continued meeting outside for coffee and dinner. We carried on our friendship. What I really liked was her interest in learning more about my language and culture.” - Alice Liske, Wıı̀lıı̀deh Mentor 

Rosie Benning, who is closely involved in this initiative, emphasizes the importance of this renewal: 

“It’s truly great news that the federal government is renewing the funding for this project. This investment provides opportunities for seniors to pass on their language and culture to the next generation by creating intercultural sharing experiences.” (translated from French)

This renewal recognizes the work accomplished within our community and provides an opportunity to continue growing this meaningful project. To learn more about the impact of this initiative, check out our articles: 

• Intergenerational Mentoring Project: Dene Elders
• 10 Years of Impact: Rosie and Her Legacy at Collège Nordique 

We are proud to continue this journey and extend our heartfelt thanks to all participants and partners who contribute to its success! 

“When I signed up for the Tłı̨chǫ language classes and the Intergenerational and Intercultural project, I was new to Yellowknife and I felt a little lonely. My meetings with Alice really helped me feel less lonely. Now we meet up with a Gwich'in elder too. We're the three amigas! I tell people it's my favourite experience in Yellowknife. Alice brings me to cultural activities, like drum dances. I probably wouldn't go to these events unless I knew someone. Now I love drum dancing!”- Gaëlle Groux, Tłı̨chǫ/Wıı̀lıı̀deh language learner