Some years carry a lasting glow. 2025 is one of them.
At FNEE, this year was marked by intersecting paths, rising voices, youth forging their own journeys, and leaders continuing to speak with purpose, carrying our stories forward.
As the Holiday season approaches, when the days shorten and invite reflection, we look back on five key moments, five sparkles of light, that gave special meaning to our year and guide us toward the Winter Solstice.
Five sparks that made 2025 shine and are leading us toward the Winter Solstice:
Within the concept of reconciliation, one word is essential: meeting. The Economic Reconciliation program illustrates this clearly. For our second cohort, 11 Indigenous and non-Indigenous duos journeyed together throughout the program. They reimagined leadership as a space to imagine and build projects with real impact for communities.
Guided by academic co-leads Ken Rock and Marc Du Sault, participants moved along this path, from meeting one another, to mutual understanding, by listening, all the way through to building impactful projects together for communities.
Spark 2
Next Generation program: youth in motion
In March, at the Ilnu Museum in Mashteuiatsh, the first cohort of the Next Generation program was launched. Bringing together youth aged 18 to 35 from the Atikamekw, Anicinape, Innu, W8banaki, Wendat and Wolastoqiyik Nations, the program fostered leadership, public speaking, and civic engagement.
Co-created over several months in 2024 with First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Youth Network, New Pathways Foundation, Mikana, Puamun Meshkenu and Wapikoni, this new program offers a safe space where Indigenous youth can chart their own path, discover their leadership, and expand their network.
In August, CN joined as a program partner, helping improve access to the program, by covering transportation and accommodation costs. Under the academic co-leadership of Jay Launière-Mathias and Jean-François Gauthier, the program generated strong enthusiasm.
From October 20 to 23, 2025, 24 young participants took part in the second cohort in Gatineau, meeting influential political leaders, including Senator Michèle Audette, Ghislain Picard, and the Honourable Mandy Gull-Masty, Minister of Indigenous Services.
Spark 3
A growing leadership
On April 24, HEC Montréal appointed Ghislain Picard as an Adjunct Professor. Involved since FNEE’s inception and serving as Chair of its Advisory Committee, his appointment was highlighted in May during an evening event themed Carrying Knowledge Across Generations, attended by many partners, including AFNQL, FNQLEDC, New Pathways foundation, Hydro-Québec, L’Oréal Canada, TD Bank Group, McConnell Foundation, and the Government of Québec, among others.
On October 14, Nathalie Huntley joined FNEE as Director. Her appointment reflects the continuity of her four-year commitment to FNEE, where she has served as a coach, instructor, and academic co-lead of the Management program. From the outset, she has pursued the strategic oversight, alongside Jean-Marc Gauthier, Director of Strategy and Development, and the Coordination Committee, to further advance the 2026–2031 strategic planning process, initiated in the second quarter of 2025, with a first outline presented during FNEE’s 4th Anniversary.
Spark 4
Women Leadership’s 10th cohort
In September, we welcomed the 10th cohort of the Women Leadership program at HEC Montréal. Over five days, participants from the Atikamekw, Anicinape, Eeyou Istchee, Innu, Inuit, Kanien’kehá:ka, Wendat, and Wolastoqiyik Nations worked on strengthening their confidence, communication skills and leadership vision.
Supported by academic co-leads Brigitte Skeene and Raymonde Lévesque, this cohort is part of a broader movement: a space where more than 200 Indigenous women have, over the years, strengthened their voices and expanded their networks to fully realize their potential.
Spark 5
More than 1000 leaders!
On November 21, we celebrated our 4th anniversary in a packed auditorium at HEC Montréal, in the heart of Tiohtià:ke, bringing together the 2024–2025 certificate recipients. A total of 220 certificates were awarded, a unifying moment where the entire community could feel the scope of what we are building together. Four years already. Four years of projects, cohorts, partnerships, inspiring stories, and bonds woven between communities, Nations and generations.
Our initial goal of training 1,000 leaders in five years was surpassed one year early: 1,182 participants have already journeyed through FNEE’s programs, and the circle continues to grow.
Looking toward 2026
These five sparks tell the story of how 2025 helped us grow through new encounters, collaborations, and partnerships. They remind us of the strength of leaders within our communities and their desire to learn together, where education and the networks developped at FNEE become true levers for change and self-determination.
During this Holiday season, we warmly thank all who contributed to making 2025 a shining year: academic co-leads, instructors, the Coordination Committee, the Advisory Committee, our partners, the FNEE team, and more than 1,000 participants.
✨May 2026 ignite the next five sparks in our collective dream and keep the fire alive as we enter the next five-year cycle.
Merci, Chi naskumitin, Mikwetc, Mik8etc, Meegwech, Migwetc, Nakurmiik, Nia:wen, Wela’lioq, Wliwni, Woliwon, Tiawenhk, Tsheniskemeten, Tshinashkumitin, Yïawenh, Thank you.
