On November 28, 2025, 28 participants came together to officially launch their training journey in the Management program
Led by co-leads Marine Agogué and Nathalie Huntley, this new cohort brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds from healthcare, education, community organization, technology, art, advocy across 8 nations, all eager to deepen their knowledge of management and strengthen their professional skills. The event marks the beginning of a program focused on collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and growth
What does leadership mean for them?
Leadership lies at the core of the Management program. It is not just about guiding or influencing others but also fostering a shared sense of purpose and moving forward together. Through the program, managers discover how to support, uplift, and inspire those around them toward common goals.
Facilitators encourage participants to reflect on what effective leadership means in practice. By sharing their personal insights and experiences, participants highlight a human-centred approach, rooted in listening, empathy, and collaboration. True leadership, as they highlight, is reflected not in titles but in actions, relationships, and the courage to make a positive impact.
Here is what participants shared about leadership:
Caroline Coutu, Atikamekw, Manawan
Collective leadership involves the many people we encounter in life; family, friends, colleagues, and even strangers who can influence our journey.
Marie-Josée Wright, Mi’kmaq, Gesgapegiag
Through this journey, I aim to grow not only as a manager but, more importantly, as an Indigenous woman, embracing the values and responsibilities that leadership carries.
Sidgie Launière – Langlais, Innu, Mashteuiatsh
Leadership means creating space and opportunities for everyone, ensuring that no one is left behind.
Julie Durand, W8banaki, Odanak
Leadership means stepping back to gain a broader perspective. It is the collective commitment to a shared project that moves us forward.
Raphael Bacon, Innu Uashat Mak Mani Utenam
Leadership is like a zipper, open yet facing opposite sides. With a single motion, it brings everyone together – aligning their efforts and lifting them upward, toward the highest peaks.
Annik Wabanonik, Anicinape, Lac-Simon
Leadership for me means creating positive change in my community.
Jimmy Lord, Cree, Oujé-Bougoumou
Leadership requires balancing priorities—family, personal life, and career—to lead with effectiveness and sustainability
Seven Grandfather teaching Number #7
For this 7th Management cohort, the number seven resonates with Roger Twance, Ojibwé, Pic River First Nation as having a special meaning in the Ojibwé tradition. The values of Wisdom, Courage, Honesty, Humility, Respect, Love and Truth remind us that leadership is also a matter of heart and responsibility to carry traditional knowledge to be managers in a good way.
