Call for Applications: Mentor – Apprentice Program (Canada)

A “mentor” (a fluent speaker of a language) is paired with an “apprentice” (learner). The mentor and apprentice spend 300 hours per year together doing everyday activities while using the language. This program is valuable for any language, especially where only a couple of fluent speakers are left. The apprentice will learn and share their teachings with family and community members. In this program, learners become more fluent. The Mentor-Apprentice Program has two streams:

• The Mentor-Apprentice Program (MAP): offers 300 hours of immersion per year for up to 3 years. For learners ages 16-50.
• The Mentor-Apprentice Program: Connections (MAPC): is less intensive and suitable for all language learners. It offers 100 hours of immersion per year, for up to 3 years, at a flexible pace. For learners ages 16 and up.

MAP is for language learners, ages 16-50, who want to actively pass on the language to others, often through a career as a language educator. Mentor-Apprentice participants complete 300 hours of language immersion with a fluent speaker over approximately ten months.

Funding Information

• The total amount per team is $21,000, plus an additional travel grant to cover travel and accommodation expenses for the Mentor-Apprentice team to attend the mandatory workshop:
  • $7,500 for the apprentice hours
  • $12,000 for mentor hours
  • $1,500 for panel evaluations
• Teams with more than one mentor will split their hours with their mentors; the total grant amount will not exceed $21,000.
• The Grant is paid in installments after each 100 hours of immersion are completed.
• The Mentor-Apprentice Program term begins April 2025, and concludes in March 2026. Mentor Apprentice teams are invited to begin their MAP hours after completing the mandatory MAP training held in May or June 2025.

Eligibility Criteria

• The Mentor-Apprentice Program is intended for B.C. First Nations individuals ages 16 – 50 years old. Those who are status or non-status, and identify as a B.C. First Nation person, whether living on or off reserve in B.C., will be considered for MAP. To prioritize Indigenous learners, non-Indigenous applicants are not eligible for funding through the Program, regardless of community affiliation. Priority will be given to apprentices with a demonstrated commitment to share the language with others beyond the program.
• An apprentice may apply with more than one mentor (to a maximum of three mentors), with the hours being split between mentors. Mentors can have one apprentice within the MAP Program. This ensures our Elders and language speakers have the time and energy to support the apprentice, alongside their other commitments. Please note the funding total will remain the same regardless of the number of mentors.
• MAP is for:
  • B.C. First Nations individuals aged 16 – 50. Applicants over 50 years old may apply to MAP:
    • Connections.
  • Learners who have a plan for actively passing on the language to others. This may include:
    • Learners who are or want to become language teachers in schools or community; or,
    • Parents of young children or soon-to-be parents.

Assessment  Criteria

• The following are the criteria used by the Peer Review Committee in prioritizing applications for this program:
  • Letter of Intent: Strong applicants demonstrate a commitment to their language that extends beyond this program:
    • Has the Apprentice demonstrated a commitment to learning?
    • Do the Mentor and Apprentice live within a reasonable distance of each other, or will significant travel time (45 minutes+) be required for them to meet in person?
    • Is the Apprentice in the Youth Category (16-35 years-old)?
    • Have they carefully considered the time commitment required?
    • Does the Apprentice have the motivation and time to complete the hours and to complete the reports?
  • Community Letter of Support: Applications must include one letter of support from the community for the team:
    • This letter is ideally written by a respected community member.
    • It is better to ask someone who is not closely related to the mentor and apprentice (i.e., not a spouse or immediate family member) to write this letter.
    • Letter should speak to the strength of the relationship between the mentor and the apprentice or probable success of the team in meeting their goals.
  • Resumes & Biographies: Applications must include one resume and biography from the apprentice. A biography from the mentor must also be included. Applicants could include information on cultural knowledge or previous engagement with their language, and outline any community-based, academic, or professional experiences:
    • Is the Mentor a fluent speaker? If not, please explain what their language proficiency is, and why the apprentice is choosing them as a Mentor (for example, there are no fluent speakers living near them, so they are applying with an intermediate speaker as their Mentor).
    • Include your involvement with the language, and any learning or work experience you have.
  • Language Learning Goals:
    • Does the Apprentice demonstrate an understanding of the MAP method and purpose?
    • What are the Apprentice’s short- and long-term goals for language?
    • Do the proposed activities align with the Apprentice’s long-term goals for language?
    • Has the Apprentice identified specific language outcomes to be achieved through this grant?
  • Specific intentions to pass on the language: This program aims to renew the intergenerational transmission of the language. Strong applicants demonstrate a clear commitment to pass the language on to family members, children, and/or other community members:
    • Does the Apprentice demonstrate a specific plan for sharing language?
    • Is the Apprentice a teacher or ECE (Early Childhood Education) worker?
    • Are there young children in the home who will benefit from increased language exposure?
  • Schedule:
    • Does the schedule meet the hours per month requirement (35-40 hours per month)?
    • Is the schedule balanced (sessions should not be too short or too long)?
    • Does the schedule match the lifestyles of the Mentor and the Apprentice, is it realistic?
    • Does the schedule match the activities they are planning (e.g., land-based activities need to occur during daylight hours, not in the evenings)?
    • Does their current work schedule allow for their learning schedule? The Mentor – Apprentice Program requires a significant commitment of time. In many cases, it is best if the applicants plan to take some time off from their work or other commitments in order to complete the hours.
  • Past and current community involvement: Strong applicants demonstrate involvement in their community, through language projects, cultural events, or other initiatives:
    • Has the Apprentice had prior language-learning experience?
    • Has the Apprentice demonstrated a commitment to contributing to the language revitalization work in the community?
    • Has the Apprentice demonstrated a commitment to their community?

For more information, visit First Peoples’ Cultural Council.