Mentor-Apprentice Program (MAP)

Overview

MAP is a way of learning an Indigenous language where a fluent speaker of the language (a mentor) teaches a committed language learner (an apprentice) through immersion.

The goal of the program is to have apprentices increase their ability to understand and speak their language by “living life in the language.”

Spoken language is the focus of the program ten pairs per Indigenous Government partnership will be selected to participate.

The pair must agree to spend a lot of time together, usually about 7-10 hours per week during the program. Mentor-apprentice pairs complete 200 hours of language immersion over approximately nine months (July to March). Pairs are required to submit regular reporting logs that demonstrate their Indigenous language learning.

Pairs are paid for their time in the program with funding from both the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) and their Indigenous Government.

Training is provided for the following Indigenous languages:

Dene Kǝdǝ́
Dëne Sųłıné
Dene Zhatıé
Dinjii Zhu’ Ginjik
Inuinnaqtun
Inuvialuktun
nēhiyawēwin
Tłı̨chǫ

Learn more:

Program timeline

Deadline

Applications are being accepted from February 13 to April 14, 2023.

Eligibility

Any adult 18 years of age or older.

Priority will be given to:

Indigenous applicants that reside in the Northwest Territories.
Applicants with a demonstrated commitment to sharing language with others upon completion of the program. This includes teachers, child care workers, parents, or those actively engaged in language programming in their community.

How to apply

Mentor-Apprentice pairs must apply together.

Complete the application and prepare your supporting documents.
Submit your completed application before the deadline to Indigenous_languages@gov.nt.ca.

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