Mentor Apprentice Program (MAP)

Participation in the Mentor-Apprentice Program is open to all who are involved in language reclamation work and are passionate about creating new speakers. We highly encourage Doyon shareholders and descendants to apply, and will preference applicants who live in the Doyon region.

This year, the grant will support up to 10 mentor-apprentice teams (20 participants in total). The following year, it will support up to 10 more mentor-apprentice teams.

A mentor is:

• A highly proficient speaker of the language. Usually a mentor spoke the language as a child. The mentor does NOT need to have language teaching experience; knowing how to speak the language is all the expertise needed.
• Patient and have an understanding of the language-learning process. Language learning is not a quick process and it takes a lot of time and repetition for the apprentice to “pick up” language.
• Willing to spend a significant amount of time with the apprentice speaking only the language.
• Willing to overcome any fears, inhibitions or negative feelings about speaking and sharing the language. These feelings are understandable and very common due to the effects of the residential school experience, but it is important to create a positive space for the language to grow.
• Open to learning and using different techniques to pass on the language to the apprentice.

An apprentice is:

• Either a semi-speaker (knows some of the language) or a total beginner. Either way is OK!
• Patient and has an understanding of the language-learning process.
• Willing to spend a significant amount of time with the mentor, speaking only the language. In addition to the time spent together, many apprentices spend extra time on their own listening to recordings and reviewing.
• Deeply committed to learning the language.
• Committed to making the most out of the time spent with the mentor.
• Responsible for guiding the language-learning process by choosing what she/he wants to learn.
• Willing to take risks and overcome fears of making mistakes in the language.
• Interested in and committed to passing on what she/he learns to others.

(Definitions from FPCC’s ‘B.C’s Master-Apprentice Language Program Handbook’, 2012, p.9) 

Currently, we are only accepting applications from pre-arranged teams of mentors and apprentices. Due to the intense, and sometimes emotional, nature of immersion learning, it is important that the mentor and apprentice have an established relationship before beginning the program. If you are interested in applying but are unable to find a partner, please contact us to be placed on our standby list. Priority will be given to teams, but in the case that the program does not fill up, we will try to find partners for interested individuals.

Learning together as a group of mentors and apprentices can be a great way to create an immersive social environment that sparks natural conversation, laughter and new ideas. However, we encourage each team to spend most of their time in a one-on-one format so that each apprentice can be learning according to their individual needs and goals. If you would like, MAP teams can gather as a group once a month to benefit from shared learning and peer support. This can be done in person, or online, since most teams will not be in the same communities.

Teams must consist of only one mentor and apprentice each, as the model works best using a one-on-one approach to language learning. This provides each language learner focused time with a fluent speaker, doing hands-on activities together. Having more than one apprentice with a single mentor can overwhelm the mentor and lead to a classroom style of language learning, which may not be as effective.

This program is offered one year at a time. While a full mentor-apprentice program traditionally lasts at least three years (the equivalent of 900+ hours of focused language learning), Doyon Foundation is not able to guarantee more than one year at a time for this group program. We encourage teams to continue on with one another beyond this program, seeking alternative funding to continue.

Due to the nature of the Mentor-Apprentice Program, it is essential to have a fluent speaker guiding the learner. If you are interested in participating as an apprentice, but do not have a fluent mentor available, please consider partnering with a local organization and applying for a Doyon Foundation Our Language grant. We highly encourage groups of experienced language learners to get together on their own to collaborate on their learning journey.

If you are still unable to find a suitable partner, please contact us so that we can work with you to find a solution.

Each team in the Mentor-Apprentice Program is paid monthly by Doyon Foundation. The stipend for mentors will be $645 and $585 for apprentices. If you have not gotten paid after two weeks, please contact us.

In-person teams are preferred. However, if you are on the road system and have reasonable driving distance to allow for in-person meetings (when safe) or can boat to another community, you can apply with a mentor from a different community. If driving or boating to your mentor is not possible, virtual meeting may be an option if the mentor and apprentice are comfortable with video conferencing technology. Applicants living in the Doyon region will also be prioritized.

If either a mentor or apprentice is unable to complete the program, we will work with the remaining participant to find a new partner (time permitting) or prepare to re-enter the program at the next cycle.

Mentors and apprentices will receive training and resources before and throughout the program to support language learning. Quarterly community meetings, monthly check-ins and progress evaluations will all be provided to help apprentices reach their proficiency goals.

Mentors and apprentices are required to attend four community meetings a year: three virtual and one in Fairbanks, Anchorage or another participating community (COVID permitting). Expenses related to the community meeting travel will be reimbursable.

As teams near the end of the program, apprentices should make plans for how they will use their language and cultural knowledge to give back to their community. This can take form in many ways, such as teaching, lesson planning or mentoring.

Teams must complete a total of 260 hours over the course of the program; the weekly commitment will be approximately 5-10 hours. The first cohort is set to begin in late summer 2022 and end early summer 2023.

This Mentor-Apprentice Program is open to all 10 Doyon region languages:

• 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 (Doogh Qinag)
• Iñupiaq
• Nee’aanèegn’ (Upper Tanana)