Doyon Foundation will begin accepting applications for language learners and teachers interested in participating in our new Mentor-Apprentice Program (MAP) this spring. In preparation of the MAP application opening, we wanted to share some important information with potential mentor/apprentice applicants:
- Participants will apply as mentor-apprentice teams. Mentors and apprentices will need to complete and submit one joint application. Interested applicants are encouraged to identify and reach out to their prospective mentor/apprentice prior to the application period opening.
- Mentors should be fluent speakers.
- Apprentices should be passionate about language learning, and ideally have some experience with the target language.
- Mentor/apprentice teams are expected to commit to the program for one year, starting in July 2022 through June 2023.
The program will be open to all 10 Doyon region languages, including:
- Benhti Kokhut’ana Kenaga’ (Lower Tanana)
- Deg Xinag
- Denaakk’e (Koyukon)
- Dihthaad Xt’een Iin Aanděeg’ (Tanacross)
- Dinak’i (Upper Kuskokwim)
- Dinjii Zhuh K’yaa (Gwich’in)
- Hän
- Holikachuk
- Inupiaq
- Nee’aanèegn’ (Upper Tanana)
The MAP application is expected to be available in March. For the latest updates, please watch the Doyon Foundation website or social media channels, or sign up to receive email updates from the Foundation.
One of the first modern master-apprentice programs (also known as mentor-apprentice) was started through the Native California Network in 1993 as a way to address the epidemic of worldwide language loss and ensure that there will be new speakers to take the place of fluent speakers. These programs are especially effective when pairing Elders one-on-one with learners who are dedicated to learning a language.
Doyon Foundation received a three-year, $812,142 federal grant from the Administration for Native Americans (ANA) to fund the new program. Through MAP, apprentices will work with fluent speakers to become proficient speakers of endangered Doyon region languages. In return, apprentices will give back to their language community as a mentor, instructor or lesson developer. All interested participants are eligible to apply, with a focus on Doyon, Limited shareholders and descendants who want to learn one of their region’s Native languages.
The Mentor-Apprentice Program is the latest effort in Doyon Foundation’s language revitalization program. Other language projects include Doyon Languages Online, which offers online language courses for free to all interested learners, and the Our Language grant program, which awards grants for language revitalization projects in the Doyon region.
For more information, please contact Lucy Miller, MAP project manager, at millerl@doyon.com or 907.459.2015.