Being Francophone for me means..." A portrait of Franco-Ténois diversity at the Collège Nordique

On this International Francophonie Day, it seemed only natural to highlight the impact of the French language, the role it plays in the identity of our multilingual and multicultural team members, as well as its value in a minority context in the Northwest Territories. This turned out to be a more inspiring and touching exercise than expected, proving the importance of celebrating parts of ourselves that we sometimes take for granted. Enjoy the read!

"Living in a minority Francophone community gives meaning to my life. Indeed, I feel that choosing to live and work in French is a political act. By honoring my roots and my culture, I contribute to the linguistic diversity of the Northwest Territories. It must be said that the Francophone community in Yellowknife is very diverse. One encounters people from all over the country and from various regions of the world. I feel privileged to be part of a community that remains so inclusive, united, and engaged." (Translated from French)

"Being a Francophone, for me, means carrying a part of my Mauritian identity while discovering new facets of the French language here in Canada. In Mauritius, French is omnipresent in our daily life, even though Mauritian Creole is the most spoken language. Growing up in a multilingual environment, speaking Mauritian Creole, French, English, and Hindi, I have always seen French as a gateway to education and culture. However, after living for a while in Newfoundland, I didn’t have many opportunities to practice it. I would always look forward to vacations in Quebec or New Brunswick just to speak French, haha!

What touches me the most is the Francophone community of the Northwest Territories, vibrant and welcoming. Here, accents from around the world come together – France, Brussels, Quebec, Cameroon… and everyone finds their place. I love meeting people at activities organized by the community, building connections through this language that reminds me of my roots while opening me up to the diversity of Francophone cultures.

French creates bonds between us, connecting our cultures and histories, allowing us to share unique moments, exchange perspectives, and build an open and diverse community. It unites us, transcends borders, and celebrates our differences. I am proud to be a Francophone, to live this richness every day, and to evolve in a dynamic environment where language becomes a true bridge between cultures." (Translated from French)

"I never had the chance to have an innate ease with my mother tongue. In school, I faced learning difficulties (attention disorder, autism, narcolepsy), and these challenges often led me to question my own worth. In my fourth year of high school, my French teacher—the most demanding one, no less—who made me spend all my lunch breaks catching up, secretly signed me up for the Paroles et Musique poetry contest. She stood there with her arms crossed and told me, ‘Stop working on French with your head and start writing it with your heart instead.’ I remember that this sentence truly transformed my relationship with writing overnight, and I ended up winning the competition at the local, regional, and provincial levels.

After that defining moment, my French classes helped restore my self-confidence and gave me the courage to pursue a degree in applied communication at the Université de Sherbrooke—despite my significant learning challenges and a global pandemic. Against all odds, in my final year of university, I won the "Coup de Cœur" award for an advertorial in one course, the best creative short story award in another, and burst into tears when I was pre-admitted to a master’s program because of my outstanding academic results. I couldn’t believe my ears! I certainly improved my writing skills, but more importantly, writing became a personal means of expression that profoundly improved my mental health, my relationships, and gave new meaning to my life.

And this year, I was offered a dream job in marketing content creation at Collège Nordique. Having the opportunity to write in the language that gave me the courage to become who I am, to express values deeply rooted in me, surrounded by incredible people who share them, is truly a gift. I am extremely proud to be Francophone and to work in French, here in the Northwest Territories." (Translated from French)

"The French language holds an essential place in my daily life, as it is through it that I communicate with my family every day.

French is a language rich in subtleties and nuances. I particularly enjoy listening to music in French, and I take pleasure in exploring various styles such as hip-hop, jazz, and French pop. Additionally, I am passionate about Francophone literature, which I find incredibly diverse and uniquely rich.

Being both French and Lebanese, French holds special significance in both cultures. Although it is a second language in Lebanon, it remains very present in daily life. I also appreciate the variety of accents one can hear in French, whether in France, Canada, or other parts of the world, which highlights the richness and diversity of our language.

I feel a great sense of pride in being Francophone when I travel abroad, as French is often seen as a language filled with romance and culture." (Translated from French)

"Being Francophone, to me, is a true richness. Beyond being a means of communication, the French language allows me to open up to the world, share ideas and emotions, and build connections.

Being Francophone in Yellowknife, in a city where the Francophone community is a minority, gives me a unique sense of pride. It can be a challenge at times, but it is also an opportunity to share and promote this language and culture in a diverse environment.

Being Francophone in my country, Cameroon, means carrying a complex heritage. The French language is often seen as a legacy of colonization, but it is also a language that enables us to communicate within our country, with other African nations, and even with the rest of the world. For me, being Francophone means reclaiming this language, using it as a tool for development and connection, while remaining true to my cultural roots." (Translated from French)

"The French language holds a fundamental place in my life! I am fortunate to be able to work in French and to be part of Yellowknife’s Francophone community, which gives me so much in return. Coming from France, it is a pleasure to discover the richness and diversity of the French language in Canada, as well as that of all the Francophone people around me in Yellowknife and beyond. I am proud and grateful to contribute to the development of Francophonie and to support the Francophone community.

I never would have imagined feeling so welcomed and valued within the Francophone community thousands of kilometers away from my home country. This reflects the power and strength of our language. Long live Francophonie Month!" (Translated from French)

"I was born in France, in Normandy, and French is my mother tongue, just as it is for my parents and grandparents. The French language has been a part of my life since birth, until I started traveling abroad.

For about ten years, I lived mainly abroad, particularly in China. During that time, French became a secondary language, as English was the one I used primarily for work—until I arrived in Yellowknife. Right away, I was very impressed by how vibrant and active the Francophonie is here. I was surprised by the number of organizations promoting the French language, such as the FFT, CNF, CDETNO, and local media, as well as the many activities offered, especially by the CFA for newcomers.

Since joining CNF as a project manager, I have been working to promote the use of French in the fields of health and social services, and I must say that it is incredibly rewarding. It is fascinating to work on strengthening and revitalizing the French language in a minority setting, as is the case in the Northwest Territories. After all, it is my mother tongue, it is a beautiful language, and I am deeply attached to it. I am very proud to contribute to keeping my parents' language alive. In fact, when I talk about this with my family in France, they are often surprised that Canada actually seems to be making more efforts to preserve the French language than France itself." (Translated from French)

"French plays an important role in my daily life, as it is my first language and the one I use most often to communicate, both at work and at home. Culturally, French has influenced me in literature, as all the works I read were in French, just like the films I watched.

In my home country, Cameroon, there are two official languages: French and English. But, unlike Canada, the majority of the population is francophone, with nearly 90% of people being speakers of French.

I grew up mostly exposed to both French and English. I find that the francophone community in the NWT is really diverse, with people from various regions of Europe, Africa, and Canada." (Translated from French)

"Since my childhood, French has been an integral part of my identity, just like my mother tongue. I grew up learning it, used it throughout my academic and professional journey, and today, it is the language in which I feel most comfortable expressing my ideas and showcasing my skills in Canada.

My choice to settle in the Northwest Territories was influenced, among other things, by the presence of the Collège Nordique, a Francophone institution that allows me to thrive in an environment where I can work and communicate in my language. Being Francophone here means belonging to a community that, although small, is dynamic and supportive, where everyone shares not only a language but also common experiences and aspirations." (Translated from French)

"French and English are the two official languages in Cameroon, inherited from colonization, with a strong geographical and linguistic dominance of French.

This linguistic heritage, deeply embedded in our daily lives, tends to compete with the dialects and other native languages that, unfortunately, are disappearing in the younger generation. Due to Cameroon’s legendary cultural diversity, the accent of spoken French is used to identify francophones from the North, Centre, East, and West of the country.

Finding this diversity of accents in the expression of French, depending on people's origins, was one of the surprises I encountered when I arrived in Canada, along with the striking contrast in its usage. A minority community, in the face of the omnipresence of English! (In public services, large stores, transportation, general communication, etc.). A minority that is still present, and especially active, fortunately!

The francophone community in Yellowknife proudly displays its multiculturalism and diversity of origins. Its structures have established a socio-cultural program to welcome newcomers, organizing activities, workshops, and training to share, practice, and expand the French language, while preserving the cultures of the communities that make it up. The Collège Nordique is the ultimate expression of the diversity and richness of this language." (Translated from French)

"Although I was already aware of the fragility of French in North America while living in Quebec, my home province, I am even more sensitive to the situation now that I am immersed in the minority francophonie across Canada. But, oh, there is so much energy, imagination, and dedication for the cause, as projects are popping up everywhere! I feel particularly useful in this regard by recently participating in the development of the Collège nordique in the Canadian Northwest Territories; a wonderful and meaningful project given the circumstances!" (Translated from French)

"French is the language I grew up with and speak every day, whether with my family, friends, or in a professional setting. Even though I didn’t have the opportunity to learn my dialect, French serves as a bridge for me to connect with others, understand the world around me, and make my voice heard." (Translated from French)

''A descendant of Italian and Polish immigrant grandparents, I was born and raised in Burgundy, France. French is my mother tongue—the language that unites my family and allows us to understand one another. When I immigrated to Canada in 2022, I gradually realized that French does not belong solely to France. It was a true deconstruction of a deeply ingrained idea: that the French language must necessarily belong to France. A belief subtly instilled through school, culture, and general attitudes, without one even realizing it.

Even though I was aware of other French-speaking countries and communities, I had never truly grasped the full meaning of francophonie. Today, after three years in Canada and enriching experiences with francophones from diverse backgrounds, I have come to understand that it is not just the francophonie, but francophonies—each with its own unique way of bringing the language to life.

At the same time, interacting here with people from different languages and cultures has made me realize just how beautiful French is—melodic, rich, nuanced... but also complex to learn and master. I enjoy writing poetry when inspiration strikes, and it is particularly a pleasure to do so in French, then read it aloud to revel in its sounds.

For me, being francophone means taking pride in living this language daily while remaining humble and open to sharing it with everyone.'' (Translated from French)

"Born in Ontario to Vietnamese parents who fled their country to offer a better future to their family, I have been living in the Northwest Territories since 2012. Long before I was born, my uncle Quân learned French in Vietnam with Quebecois missionaries. During the Vietnam War, his bilingualism allowed him to avoid the front lines by becoming an interpreter for the officers. After the war, he was thanked for his service and granted permission to immigrate to Canada. Many years later, I discovered an ease in learning the French language, likely thanks to the Vietnamese phonemes I had mastered in my early years.

When I was young, I went to school in English, but I always loved the French language! When the opportunity to pursue my studies in France arose, I naturally seized it. For three years, I completed a bachelor's degree in French as a foreign language didactics in Paris before returning to Ontario, where I earned a bachelor's degree in education. Thanks to these experiences, I was able to begin my career as a French teacher at Collège Nordique in Yellowknife in 2015. Ten years later, I am still here, now as the Director of Training and Teaching. Who would have imagined!" (Translated from French)