Doyon Foundation is now accepting applications for the first cohort for our new Native language Mentor-Apprentice Program. Applications are due by Friday, April 29, 2022, at 5 p.m. AKDT. The application is available online at doyonfoundation.com/map.
Mentors and apprentices must apply together as one team. Apprentices are responsible for filling out the application and ensuring the mentor consents to everything in the application. Apprentices should review the application closely and gather required information from their mentor before beginning the application process.
Mentors should be fluent speakers, while apprentices should be passionate about language learning, and ideally have some experience with the target language. The program is open to all interested participants, with an emphasis on Doyon, Limited shareholders who wish to learn one of their region’s 10 Native languages.
Through the Mentor-Apprentice Program, Doyon Foundation will provide training and compensation for teams of mentors and apprentices. Mentors will guide apprentices to become proficient speakers of Doyon region languages through one-on-one language learning. In turn, language learners who complete an apprenticeship can give back to their language community as a mentor, instructor or lesson developer.
Mentors and apprentices will make a commitment to be part of the program for one year (from late summer 2022 to summer 2023) and have a goal to complete 260 hours of practice in their chosen Native language. The program is 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 and Nee’aanèegn’ (Upper Tanana).
Doyon Foundation’s Mentor-Apprentice Program is funded by a federal grant from the Administration for Native Americans (ANA). It is the latest undertaking by our language revitalization program to revitalize the endangered languages of the Doyon region. Our 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.
Learn more about the Mentor-Apprentice Program and find FAQs on the Doyon Foundation website, doyonfoundation.com/map. For more information, contact Lucy Miller at millerl@doyon.com or 907.459.2015.