From Yellowknife to Ottawa, connections between Francophone communities are built in part through involvement in national networks. Collège Nordique Executive Director Patrick Arsenault is continuing his term on the French for the Future Board of Directors, where he helps bring Northern perspectives to the national conversation while building bridges across Canada’s Francophonie.

On September 23, Patrick Arsenault was in Ottawa to attend French for the Future’s Annual General Meeting (AGM). The meeting brought together the organization’s Board of Directors and staff. This national organization works with youth to foster their engagement with the French language and the Francophone community.

The day provided an opportunity to review the past year, present the results of various initiatives and discuss the organization’s upcoming priorities. Board members also used their time in Ottawa to continue their work on governance.

For the Executive Director of Collège Nordique, the trip was part of a broader effort to strengthen the North’s presence within Canada’s Francophone networks.

Bringing Northern realities to national networks

In recent years, Collège Nordique has expanded its collaborations to strengthen connections between the North and major Francophone networks across the country.

Its membership in the Association des collèges et universités de la francophonie canadienne (ACUFC), participation in the Réseau pour le développement de l’alphabétisme et des compétences (RESDAC), the introduction of the Explore program in the Northwest Territories and the development of a pan-territorial Francophone postsecondary structure with the Association franco-yukonnaise and the Association des francophones du Nunavut all reflect this commitment.

Patrick Arsenault’s involvement with French for the Future is part of this same approach. It provides an opportunity to participate in national conversations while bringing a perspective grounded in the realities of Northern Francophone communities.

“This involvement is extremely rewarding. It allows me to contribute to a mission that is close to my heart, while also learning from dedicated people from across the country. These conversations remind us just how diverse Canada’s Francophonie is and how much we stand to gain by building more bridges between our communities,” says Patrick Arsenault.

An ongoing commitment

Patrick will continue his term as a member of the French for the Future Board of Directors. He will also continue contributing to several of the organization’s committees, including those focused on government relations, strategic planning, and the review of policies and procedures.

The meeting also provided an opportunity to connect with Lisa Balfour Bowen, co-founder of French for the Future, and reflect on how far the organization has come since its creation.

Learning elsewhere to strengthen the North

Participation in national networks also creates opportunities to bring knowledge, practices and perspectives developed elsewhere in Canada back to the North.

As part of the activities surrounding the AGM, Board members participated in training on the budget cycle and governance. The session allowed them to deepen their understanding of the strategic and fiduciary responsibilities associated with serving as a director.

For Patrick, serving on the Board of a national organization is therefore an opportunity not only to contribute, but also to learn. It exposes him to different approaches to governance, allows him to participate in strategic discussions and creates opportunities to exchange ideas with leaders from across Canada.

This exchange of knowledge reflects an approach that is already well established at Collège Nordique. Through collaborations with educational institutions, community organizations and Francophone networks, the College can share its Northern expertise while adapting practices and initiatives developed elsewhere in the country to the territorial context.

From a national network to concrete action in Yellowknife

The connection between the national and local levels is particularly tangible through French for the Future.

The organization hosts a French for the Future Local Forum in Yellowknife, in collaboration with Collège Nordique. The event gives young people in the region an opportunity to experience French in a different way, meet other Francophone and Francophile youth, and strengthen their sense of belonging to a community that extends well beyond the Northwest Territories.

For Patrick, seeing the local impact of an organization he helps support at the national level gives added meaning to his involvement.

“It is very motivating to contribute to the governance of a national organization and then see its impact take shape right here in Yellowknife. The Local Forum creates opportunities for young people to connect, build their confidence in French and see that they are part of a much broader Francophone community.”

A Francophonie built through connections

The AGM also took place on the eve of a milestone year, as French for the Future will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2027.

Results presented at the meeting highlighted growing youth participation in several of the organization’s initiatives. For Patrick Arsenault, its continued ability to engage new generations speaks to the relevance of its mission.

“I am delighted to see that the organization is doing well and continues to reach a growing number of young people. After nearly 30 years, its ability to evolve, remain relevant and create positive experiences around the Francophonie is remarkable.”

Originally from Montreal and now based in Yellowknife, Patrick Arsenault has lived in more than ten cities and four countries. His professional experience in the postsecondary sector and his involvement in various networks have helped shape his vision of a Francophonie that grows through strong institutions as well as through relationships between communities.

This vision reflects Collège Nordique’s own commitment to strengthening the Francophonie in the North while creating more opportunities to build connections, share expertise and exchange ideas across communities, generations and regions.