Meeting communities where they are: understanding, documenting and affirming the place of French

Between February and April, Collège Nordique carried out a field tour in Hay River, Fort Smith and Inuvik to gain an in-depth understanding of needs related to French-language training and postsecondary education.

Led by Lucas Beaudre, this initiative relied on a rigorous approach: combining quantitative data from surveys with qualitative insights gathered through on-the-ground meetings.

“Data helps guide us, but it’s the conversations that give it meaning. That’s where we truly understand the needs,” explains Lucas.

Hay River: a present community, connections to strengthen

In Hay River, findings highlight a reality that is often less visible: a well-established Francophone and Francophile community, but one that remains only loosely connected to available French-language training opportunities.

Surveys and discussions confirmed a genuine interest in French-language learning, particularly when it is offered remotely and tailored to Northern realities.

However, engagement remains a challenge. Limited points of contact mean that interested individuals are not always able to fully connect with available opportunities.

“People are there, but we need to go to them. Otherwise, we miss an important part of the reality,” says Lucas.

Another structural issue relates to early childhood. The absence of French-language childcare services reduces early exposure to the language, which directly impacts the continuity of educational pathways in French.

Fort Smith: a Francophonie driven by community engagement

In Fort Smith, the dynamic is largely driven by the commitment of families and the broader community.

Discussions with Geneviève Côté, educators and local partners revealed a strong mobilization to maintain and expand French-language education.

In a context where services are limited, the community itself acts as a driving force.

“What we see here is a Francophone presence that exists because people decided it had to exist,” notes Lucas.

The development of a French-language daycare is seen as a key step in strengthening this vitality. With available space, interested individuals and a clear interest in early childhood training, the conditions are in place for meaningful initiatives to emerge.

This level of commitment is reflected in concrete actions:

“If we need to open our doors to make it happen, we will,” shared a community member, expressing willingness to host educational activities in her own home.

This ability to act shows that in small communities, initiatives often depend on deeply committed individuals who can turn constraints into opportunities.

Inuvik: existing opportunities, relationships to build

In Inuvik, the Francophone community is smaller, and relationships are built over time, grounded in trust.

Meetings identified clear training needs, particularly in administration, management and leadership, reflecting local labour market realities.

This perspective is also shared by Aleksandar Kovacevic, Chair of the Board of Collège Nordique and resident of Inuvik:

“There are real employment opportunities in the region, but the challenge remains access to a trained workforce. Bilingualism becomes a key asset, both for individuals and for organizations.”

Another major issue relates to access to information. Several individuals expressed strong interest in French-language training but indicated they had not been aware of available options.

“It’s not a lack of interest, it’s an issue of access to information,” summarizes Lucas.

A cross-cutting reality: between accessibility of English and desire for French

One clear takeaway from this tour is that the widespread use of English does not necessarily reflect community aspirations.

In many cases, English is used by default because it is more accessible or already structured. However, when French-language alternatives are introduced, interest is immediate and tangible.

“It’s not because it’s in English that it’s what people want. It’s often just what’s available,” explains Lucas.

Reaching communities differently

In several communities, information still circulates primarily through word of mouth, local networks or printed materials, with limited presence on digital platforms and online channels.

This reality highlights the importance of adapting communication strategies to reach individuals who are interested but not exposed to traditional digital outreach.

This was also observed during discussions outside the Northwest Territories, notably in Calgary, where several individuals discovered Collège Nordique’s training opportunities for the first time, despite an immediate interest.

Communities to highlight, levers to strengthen

The tour highlighted resilient, engaged communities that are actively driving initiatives forward.

Support from community organizations, public funding and partnerships plays a crucial role in maintaining and expanding the presence of French, while also creating educational and professional opportunities.

In these contexts, every initiative matters, and each action can have a significant impact.

Toward concrete and sustainable actions

The data collected, the testimonies shared and the relationships built during this tour will directly inform Collège Nordique’s next steps.

This initiative goes far beyond a series of visits. It represents an in-depth analysis grounded in lived realities, carried out through two major projects. For a smaller institution, and in a context where communities themselves vary greatly in size and structure, this type of field research remains a rare and valuable opportunity.

Needs differ from one region to another: some communities are driven by engaged families, others by professional or migration dynamics. Added to this are the unique challenges linked to Northern realities and minority French-language contexts, which require tailored approaches.

“This kind of tour allows us to truly understand what is happening on the ground. It’s not something we always have the opportunity to do at this scale, and it completely changes how we approach solutions,” says Lucas.

Communities are ready

Throughout these visits, one thing became clear: communities are ready.

Whether it is schools willing to host students, partners ready to share their spaces, or educators interested in training, workshops or mentorship, the foundations for meaningful collaboration are already in place.

This momentum comes at a key moment. As Collège Nordique begins a new programming year, new courses, workshops and initiatives will be launched, particularly in early childhood and continuing education.

Insights from this tour will not only help strengthen these offerings, but also ensure they are better aligned with community realities.

Beyond the projects themselves, this initiative reinforces an essential direction: acting more inclusively by considering local contexts, communication practices and real barriers to accessing information.

This tour marks an important milestone. It transforms observations into actions, needs into solutions, and initial connections into lasting partnerships.

“Meeting communities where they are is essential to understanding their realities and building sustainable solutions. This tour confirms that the needs are real and that communities are ready to collaborate to advance French-language education in the North,” says Patrick Arsenault.

Published on April 20th 2026