An Explore program in the NWT? The CNF in action!

From left to right: Caroline Roux, French Language and Literacy Curriculum Coordinator at the Government of the Northwest Territories, Marcel Courchesne, National Coordinator, Official Languages, Exchange and Languages Programs at the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada, and Patrick Arsenault, Executive Director at Collège Nordique.

A key event for the development of language immersion in the NWT.

From February 3rd to 7th, 2025, Patrick Arsenault, Executive Director of Collège Nordique Francophone (CNF), attended the annual conference of program directors of Explore and Destination Clic. Organized by the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC), this event brought together language immersion experts from across the country. 

This is a noteworthy invitation, given that, to date, no Explore program exists in the Northwest Territories or anywhere in the Canadian North. But that could well change.  

"Participating in this conference is great recognition for the CNF. This shows that our proven expertise in language teaching has put us on the map. We are well on our way to developing a language immersion program in the Northwest Territories. — Patrick Arsenault 

Objective: to implement an Explore program in the NWT by 2026

The objective of this mission was clear: to assess the feasibility of an Explore program in the NWT as early as the summer of 2026. Such a project would welcome students from across the country for French immersion in a unique setting, highlighting the diversity and richness of the Northern Francophonie. 

"This would be an incredible opportunity for our students, and also for the NWT's Francophone community. Welcoming young people from elsewhere means promoting our culture and increasing our visibility," explains Patrick Arsenault. 

On site, he had the opportunity to interact with representatives from various institutions, including Thompson River University in Kamloops, which is also considering launching an Explore program. He also shared this experience with Caroline Roux of the GNWT, a key supporter in the implementation of such a project.

A return to his roots for Patrick Arsenault

This trip was also a return to his roots for Patrick Arsenault: 

"I had the opportunity to participate in the Explore program when I was younger, and it changed my life. This immersive experience allowed me to discover another culture and strengthen my appreciation for Canada's linguistic diversity. Today, I am closing a loop, by working to offer this opportunity to young people from elsewhere in the country!” 

In addition to the meetings and interactions, the event was also marked by an inspiring moment: the presentation of Explore's promotion agents through a dynamic video. Among them, Leah Simonot, who represents the NWT and Nunavut, attracted particular attention.  

Next step: a feasibility study 

The next step? Work on a feasibility study to make this project a reality. "We will see how to adapt an Explore program to our Northern reality and what resources will be needed to make it possible," says the executive director. 

The NWT's Francophone community is invited to stay tuned, as its support will be invaluable in bringing this project to fruition.

Are you a student in the NWT and would like to experience language immersion elsewhere in Canada? The Explore program allows you to do just that, either in-person or online. And if you prefer to learn a language locally, the CNF is here to support you :