At the <\/span>heart<\/span> of the <\/span>Women<\/span> Leadership <\/span>p<\/span>rogram, <\/span>each<\/span> Indigenous<\/span> and non-<\/span>Indigenous<\/span> teaching<\/span> duo <\/span>embodies<\/span> a unique <\/span>academic<\/span> approach<\/span> roo<\/span>ted<\/span> in <\/span>co-creation <\/span>where<\/span> perspectives <\/span>intersect<\/span> and <\/span>knowledge<\/span> systems<\/span> complement<\/span> one <\/span>another<\/span>. <\/span>Together<\/span>, <\/span>they<\/span> create<\/span> learning<\/span> spaces<\/span> that<\/span> foster<\/span> individual<\/span> transformation and collective <\/span>empowerment<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Brigitte Skeene, an Innu from Mashteuiatsh and co-lead of the Women Leadership Program, expresses it clearly:<\/span> The program embraces this perspective by creating spaces that prioritize:<\/span><\/p>\n By fostering a culture of listening, sharing and action, the program creates the conditions for each participant to express and fully develop their leadership potential. This same spirit is embodied in the co-facilitation model, where each duo brings interwoven perspectives to life.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Raymonde L\u00e9vesque and Brigitte Skeene, academic co-leads of the Women Leadership Program.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n With over 25 years of experience in Human Resources, Brigitte Skeene draws on her Innu roots and expertise in intercultural facilitation to support participants with authenticity, active listening, and a commitment to co-creation.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Victoria\u202fLaBillois, a Mi\u2019gmaq from Listuguj, co-facilitates the workshop <\/span>How to Tell a Powerful Story<\/span><\/i> alongside strategist Sandra\u202fChaput-Carrier. She highlights how co-creation deeply enriches the learning experience:<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cParticipants have added value of sharing two world views in the delivery of material. That is, an Indigenous perspective in addition to the academic Western perspective. This is bringing the concept of<\/span><\/i> Two-eyed Seeing<\/span><\/i><\/b>, introduced by Dr. Albert Marshall, et al into the classroom. Participants also gain access to Indigenous leadership that supports this model of co-creation, which helps to build social capital amongst the various Indigenous Nations and strengthens role modeling. <\/span><\/i>Participants are supported in both their learning and growth by having Indigenous knowledges and worldviews held up alongside existing curriculum. This serves to <\/span>validate<\/span> the participants existing knowledge systems and to recognize their unique and tremendous value<\/span>. <\/span>I also use the opportunity to put the material into an Indigenous context and use real examples to help participants better understand what they are learning and see how it can apply across our own communities and organizations.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span> \u2014 Victoria <\/span>LaBillois<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Sandra Chaput-Carrier and Victoria LaBillois during a storytelling session.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n A recognized Mi\u2019gmaq entrepreneur and economic leader, Victoria LaBillois is Vice-President of the National Indigenous Economic Development Board. She actively contributes to Economic Reconciliation by sharing a vision of leadership rooted in Indigenous knowledge and entrepreneurship.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Jos\u00e9e\u202fLortie, visiting professor in the Department of Management at HEC Montr\u00e9al, co-leads several workshops with <\/span>Nadia\u202fRobertson<\/span>, a Mi\u2019gmaq from Gespeg and advisor to the Women Leadership Program. Together, they help participants deepen their self-awareness and better understand their own communication styles.<\/span><\/p>\n For Jos\u00e9e, co-creation is not just a teaching approach, it\u2019s a dynamic process that spreads through the entire group. The true strength of the program lies in this collective co-creation, which transforms the learning environment into a shared and participatory space.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cTo co-facilitate is to embody a logic of co-creation that permeates the group. Guidance no longer happens in front of the group \u2014 it happens with them, through a living and collective process.\u201d<\/span><\/span> Jos\u00e9e Lortie and Nadia Robertson during a workshop on self-knowledge and communication styles.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Jos\u00e9e Lortie holds a Ph.D. in administration. With nearly 25 years of entrepreneurial experience in gastronomy and a strong academic background, she brings both practical insight and critical thought to leadership in hierarchical and intercultural contexts<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Discover our <\/span>duos :<\/span> <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
The Distinctiveness of Women Leadership<\/span><\/b><\/h5>\n
\n\u201cWomen bring a unique approach to leadership, grounded in <\/span><\/i>listening, collaboration, and long-term vision<\/span><\/i><\/b>.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n\n
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<\/span><\/div>The Strength of Co-Creation<\/span><\/b><\/h5>\n
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<\/span><\/div>The Collective Power of Co-Creation<\/span><\/b><\/h5>\n
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<\/span> \u2014 Jos\u00e9e Lortie<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"Two](\"https:\/\/ecole-dirigeants-premieres-nations.hec.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Image-3-1-e1750185826677.jpeg\" "\\"Image")
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<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"Participants](\"https:\/\/ecole-dirigeants-premieres-nations.hec.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/336A0537-scaled.jpg\" "\\"336A0537\\"")
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