In this testimonial, Marilou Pilote, Marketing and Content Creation Coordinator at Collège Nordique, reflects on the lessons she learned during the Forum on Leadership and Civic Engagement, organized by the Centre de la francophonie des Amériques, and on the concrete impact this experience has had on Collège Nordique. 

Collaborations That Broaden Our Perspective 

At Collège Nordique, partnerships play an essential role in the development of our initiatives. Like many Francophone organizations operating in minority-language contexts, we regularly collaborate with partners across Canada to share resources, develop new projects, and combine expertise tailored to the realities of our communities.

From June 15 to 19, 2026, I had the opportunity to participate in the Forum on Leadership and Civic Engagement, organized by the Centre de la francophonie des Amériques in collaboration with the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM). Thanks to a mobility grant from LOJIQ and the support of Collège Nordique, I joined 42 young leaders from 22 countries and territories across the Americas for this unique leadership program.

Beyond the leadership workshops themselves, the Forum was above all a space for dialogue among people committed to strengthening their communities. For me, one of the greatest values of this experience was the opportunity to expand on conversations we are already having at Collège Nordique by engaging with Francophone communities beyond Canada's borders. 

Some of these communities operate in places where French is an official language. Others keep the language alive without that status, relying primarily on schools, community organizations, families, or educational institutions. This diversity raises questions that directly relate to our work. What motivates someone to learn French? How do we foster a sense of belonging to a language? What roles do educational institutions, community organizations, and public institutions play in passing it on?

For Collège Nordique, these exchanges provided an opportunity to deepen our reflection. Every day, we welcome students, newcomers, and partners with a wide range of backgrounds, creating an environment where many different Francophone experiences come together. The initiatives developed elsewhere in the Americas offer new perspectives that can inspire our own practices, just as the expertise developed in the North can contribute to the work of other communities. 

Different Realities, Shared Reflections 

One of the panels that left the strongest impression on me brought together representatives from Louisiana, Haiti, and Quebec. Although their contexts were very different, the discussion continually returned to the same question: How can we develop initiatives that truly respond to the needs of communities instead of applying models designed elsewhere?

The representative from Louisiana explained that many educational resources come from Quebec or France. While these materials are of excellent quality, they do not always reflect the cultural, linguistic, and historical realities of Louisiana. As a result, they must be adapted so that learners can recognize themselves in the content.

The discussion from Haiti focused on an educational model developed in response to a very specific challenge: talent retention. The speakers explained that many people leave the country to pursue their education or careers and never return, despite maintaining a strong attachment to their communities. To address this reality, their institution developed a model that supports learners throughout their educational journey, from early childhood through university. Even when courses are completed remotely, students remain connected within the same learning community. This approach strengthens not only their sense of belonging to the institution, but also to their community and their country.

Across Canada's three territories, we face similar challenges related to talent retention and the development of resources that reflect our own realities. At Collège Nordique, we already invest significant effort in creating content that responds to the needs of the North, whether through French-language learning resources, health education materials, content related to Indigenous languages, or projects such as the Nordicité collection. These initiatives require dedicated teams, sustained funding, and specialized expertise.

The Forum reinforced a conviction that is already deeply rooted at Collège Nordique: the challenges faced by Francophone minority communities are rarely best addressed in isolation. For many years, the College has relied on partnerships to share expertise and develop joint initiatives. The Forum highlighted how this collaborative approach could also strengthen dialogue among Francophone communities throughout the Americas—not only within Canada. Many communities are developing resources tailored to their own realities while addressing remarkably similar challenges. Without standardizing content, there are likely many opportunities to share knowledge, methods, and expertise that could accelerate the development of resources, which can then be adapted to each community's unique context.

As Collège Nordique continues developing its pan-territorial campus in partnership with the Yukon and Nunavut, this reflection feels especially relevant. Partnerships are not simply a way to exchange ideas—they also help build a collective expertise that is better equipped to meet the needs of Francophone minority communities. 

Leadership as a Driver of Change

Among the many encounters that left a lasting impression on me, the panel featuring Pauline Marois stands out. Beyond her political career, I discovered a woman who chose to use her voice to advance ideas despite the obstacles she encountered throughout her journey. It reminded me that, especially during times of change in the education and community sectors, leadership also means having the courage to champion a vision, address complex issues with nuance, and trust your own voice.

As Marketing and Content Creation Coordinator, this discussion also led me to reflect on the role of communications. Beyond raising awareness of Collège Nordique's initiatives, communications can help shine a light on issues that affect our community, tell meaningful stories, and create spaces for dialogue that foster understanding and engagement. 

Another aspect of the Forum that particularly resonated with me was the place given to Indigenous perspectives throughout the week. I was pleased to see that they were not confined to a single activity but were woven naturally into the entire program through the contributions of Joséphine Bacon, Dr. Stanley Vollant, and Aulaguea Thérèse. What struck me most was the way they built bridges between communities without ever setting aside their own identities. On the contrary, their connection to the land, their cultures, and their knowledge remained at the heart of their presentations and became a strength that encouraged dialogue and a deeper understanding of others' realities.

This perspective reminded me of what I have observed since arriving in the Northwest Territories. At Collège Nordique, we are fortunate to work alongside First Nations partners whose perspectives, knowledge, and relationships with the land enrich many of our projects. Seeing this same philosophy reflected in a forum that brought together participants from across the Americas was especially inspiring. 

This emphasis on listening and valuing diverse experiences was also reflected in the screening of the documentary Parler mal. By giving a voice to Acadian artists who share their experiences with linguistic insecurity, the film reminds us that there is no single legitimate way to speak French.

This message strongly resonated with my work at Collège Nordique. I have the privilege of being part of a team that represents many different Francophone backgrounds, where each person brings their own accent, expressions, and life experience. This diversity is a strength and reminds us that the vitality of the French language also depends on the confidence of those who speak it.

Every day, Collège Nordique supports people who are learning French or who experience the language differently depending on their history, country of origin, or personal journey. While our role is certainly to support their language learning, it is equally important to create an environment where they feel legitimate in expressing themselves, participating in conversations, and taking their place within the Francophonie—without feeling that there is only one acceptable way to speak French. 

A Reflection That Continues at Collège Nordique

As I look back on this week, I am not returning with ready-made answers but with reflections that will continue to inform my work at Collège Nordique. Whether the topic is developing resources that reflect the realities of our communities, retaining talent, strengthening leadership, building partnerships with First Nations, or celebrating the diversity of Francophone identities, the Forum demonstrated that many communities are already experimenting with inspiring approaches. While our contexts may differ, the lessons we learn can travel from one community to another and inspire initiatives that are adapted to each territory.

As Marketing and Content Creation Coordinator, I also leave with a renewed appreciation for the role communications can play in fostering these connections. Showcasing Collège Nordique's initiatives, sharing the expertise developed in the North, and creating opportunities for dialogue between communities all contribute to strengthening the Francophonie. Communications are about more than sharing information. They also have the power to bring people together, strengthen a sense of belonging, and amplify ideas that deserve to be shared.