Strengthening health partnerships: a memorable visit to Collège Nordique

Welcoming representatives from CNFS and the President and CEO of the ACUFC to Collège Nordique marked a key moment in consolidating our pan-Canadian partnerships. This visit, held as part of a school tour in Yellowknife, highlighted concrete opportunities for collaboration to support French-language health training in the Northwest Territories. 

Collège Nordique was pleased to host Martin Normand, President and CEO of the Association des collèges et universités de la francophonie canadienne (ACUFC), along with Élissa Beaulieu, Project Manager, and Manon Tremblay, Director of Health, both from the national secretariat of the Consortium national de formation en santé (CNFS). 

The three representatives arrived together at the Yellowknife airport on Monday and were warmly welcomed by the Collège Nordique team, including Louis François Ribouem, Senior Coordinator of Admissions and Partnerships, and Lucas Beaudre, Project Manager. 

A Tour to Promote French-Language Health Careers 

As an official CNFS partner, Collège Nordique accompanied the consortium representatives during their presentations at French-language and French immersion schools in Yellowknife. This joint initiative allowed us to: 

• Raise awareness among students about careers in health care in French 
• Present available postsecondary programs across the French-language network 
• Reinforce Collège Nordique’s role as a local point of contact for those interested in these programs and admissions processes 

A Committed Team on the Ground 

The tour made it possible to meet curious youth, dedicated teachers, and school administrators enthusiastic about offering concrete opportunities for the future in French. The conversations were engaging and inspiring. 

Thanks to accessible presentations and real-life testimonials, participants were able to learn about the many possible career paths, the training available across the country, and the resources offered locally. 

Francophonie in Action 

This tour also strengthened the connections between francophone institutions in the North and the pan-Canadian network. Collège Nordique’s recent membership in the ACUFC marks a significant milestone in its commitment to French-language education in a minority context. 

“My first visit to Collège Nordique was incredibly enriching. It once again highlighted the essential role that postsecondary institutions play in the development and growth of francophone communities across the country. My deepest wish is to build a close collaboration with the Collège Nordique team, so the college can fully benefit from the strength of the ACUFC network—while also allowing that network to be enriched by the college’s unique reality. Together, we are committed to strengthening access to postsecondary education in French, including in northern regions.” — Martin Normand, President and CEO of ACUFC 

A Significant Moment for Collège Nordique 

This visit also reaffirmed Collège Nordique’s commitment to playing a key role in developing the next generation of health professionals in the Northwest Territories. 

“Welcoming representatives from the CNFS and the CEO of the ACUFC to Collège Nordique was a significant moment. As a new member of the ACUFC, it was valuable to build these connections in person. In a context where the need for bilingual health professionals in the Territories is urgent, this collaboration paves the way for concrete and meaningful partnerships for our community.” — Patrick Arsenault, Executive Director, Collège Nordique 

Next Steps 

Collège Nordique will continue to support individuals interested in French-language health careers, in collaboration with the CNFS and its 16 partner institutions. 

“We envision a promising future, driven by the development of training adapted to territorial realities and the enhancement of internship experiences in the North through increased awareness of the diversity and richness of Indigenous and francophone cultures.” — Manon Tremblay, Director of Health, CNFS National Secretariat 

Thank you to our guests for their visit and their commitment to strengthening francophone vitality in the North.