Heritage, voices and leadership: celebrating Black History Month at Collège Nordique

Black History Month is a time for recognition, but also for reflection. It reminds us of the importance of acknowledging the past and present contributions of Black communities to Canadian society, while highlighting the richness of the journeys, legacies and commitments that shape our communities.

In a Northern and Francophone minority context, this recognition takes on particular meaning. Many journeys are marked by mobility, adaptation, courage and transmission. At Collège Nordique, these realities are lived daily through the experiences of the people who make up our team.

Through their stories, a shared reflection emerges on identity, perseverance and leadership — deeply human values that shape not only individual paths, but also the way the institution evolves and contributes to the vitality of the community.

Mounir Barry: perseverance and consistency

Originally from Conakry, Guinea, where he completed his schooling through secondary education, Mounir Barry built his path across several countries and cultures. After earning a double certificate in business administration in Senegal, he pursued his studies at UQAM, completing both a bachelor’s degree and a Master of Business Administration. His journey eventually brought him to Yellowknife, a city that was still unknown to him before 2023.

As Director of Student Experience and Quality Assurance at Collège Nordique for over two years, he actively contributes to the development of French-language postsecondary education in Northern Canada, notably through structured initiatives related to program accreditation and equity, diversity and inclusion.

Two core values have profoundly shaped his journey: selflessness and patience.

Selflessness enabled him to navigate demanding periods, particularly while pursuing his studies far from his family. Being separated from loved ones represents a significant human challenge, but his ability to prioritize his goals and responsibilities over personal comfort gave him the strength to persevere.

Patience, instilled from childhood through family and education, now forms the foundation of his professional approach. It guides the way he supports others, structures projects and advances long-term initiatives. In a Northern environment shaped by diverse realities, this consistency becomes an essential asset.

Érika Cairo-Luce: legitimacy, culture and collective commitment

Director of Operations at Collège Nordique for nearly three years, Érika Cairo-Luce grew up at the crossroads of cultures. Originally from France and raised in a Guadeloupean family, she was immersed in Antillean culture and Guadeloupean Creole.

For many years, she felt intimidated by the idea of speaking Creole with her loved ones. She understood it perfectly, yet without the accent, she feared she did not speak it “properly.” This experience shaped her relationship to language, identity and legitimacy.

Today, this reflection deeply informs the way she contributes to Collège Nordique. Her journey reminds her that every voice deserves to be heard — and that doing so requires courage, learning and a supportive environment.

Within the organization, she seeks to help create positive and inspiring internal experiences for employees, convinced that the quality of workplace environments directly reflects in the quality of service provided to students and the broader community.

Christine Nguini: solidarity, transmission and responsibility

The legacies that have shaped Christine’s path are deeply rooted in her Cameroonian culture, in the values passed down by her family and in the strong sense of community in which she was raised. From a young age, she learned the importance of solidarity, respect for elders, collective work and mutual support.

These values accompanied her when she arrived in Canada, helping her adapt to a new environment while remaining faithful to her roots. They enabled her to build meaningful connections, find her place within a new community and cultivate a strong sense of belonging despite the distance from her country of origin.

Her commitment extends beyond her personal journey. Through the organization of cultural and educational events over the years, she has sought to bring people together, highlight Afro-descendant identities and foster the sharing of experiences.

For her, exercising leadership — whether formal or informal — means being a source of inspiration and support while remaining deeply anchored in her values and her story. She sees leadership as a responsibility: to represent, to open doors and to create spaces where Black voices can be heard and valued.

Leadership is also, in her view, an act of transmission — passing on confidence, knowledge and hope to future generations. During Black History Month, this perspective carries particular resonance: recognizing the path travelled, honouring the legacies that have shaped us and continuing to build strong, united and inclusive communities.

Distinct journeys, a shared vision

Across these paths, a common thread emerges: cultural and family legacies are not simply elements of the past. They form the foundation upon which professional practices, strategic decisions and leadership approaches are built.

In a Northern postsecondary institution, these values take on tangible meaning. They influence how we teach, lead, support and develop initiatives that contribute to the vitality of the Francophone minority community.

Black History Month reminds us that history is built in the present. It takes shape through daily commitments, through transmission and through the willingness to create environments where diverse trajectories are recognized as a collective strength.

At Collège Nordique, these journeys actively contribute to building an inclusive, rigorous and deeply human postsecondary education system in Northern Canada.

Published on February 25th 2026