Dehcho First Nations Mentor-Apprentice Program Presented by Violet Jumbo, Language Manager Fort Simpson, NT

Background Dehcho Dene zhatié survey ‘Bringing the Dene Zhatié Home’ for all communities in August 2001; Acho Dene Koe, Deh Gáh Got’ie Køç, Tthets’ehk’edélî, K’atl’odeeche, K’ágee Tu, Åíídlîî Køç, Nahæâ Dehé, Pehdzeh Ki, Sambaa K’e, Ts’u Ehda Elders feel Dene zhatié is declining among the youth and young adults Dehcho First Nations took the initiative to revitalize Dene zhatié Diploma in Indigenous Language Revitalization Mentor-Apprentice Program

Purpose To preserve, and promote Dene zhatié in the Region To revitalize Dene zhatié in the Dehcho Region Advance proficiency among young adult language apprentices through language learning over time with Dene zhatié mentors

Dehcho First Nations undertook the Mentor-Apprentice Program in April 2018 with 10 pairs (Mentor and Apprentice)

Goal To facilitate the development of fluent Dehcho Dene zhatié speakers More young adult fluent speakers To engage in conversations with Elders

How Fluent speakers are partnered with committed learners in an immersion environment in a home or on the land It is a one-on-one immersion program ‘Mentor is paired with an ‘apprentice’

Mentor and apprentice spend time together doing everyday activities using Dene zhatié at all times The apprentices will improve fluency in Dene zhatié This will encourage other Dene zhatié learners by creating a ripple effect

The group began with an orientation prior to starting the program.

The MAP team worked on individual work plans and set goals.

Who can enroll? Dehcho First Nations members Members that expressed interest in learning to speak Dene zhatié Members that are; Low-intermediate (has little to no language knowledge) Mid-intermediate (can understand more than can speak) Mid-intermediate (has some language knowledge)

The Program MAP team started after group orientation Self-regulated The goal is to complete 300 hrs by March 2019 Report after 50 hours Evaluation done after 100 hours to measure progress Check-in to report on how much time they spent on language with activities

Completion of MAP Once the MAP is completed the participants will do a report and an evaluation Successes and challenges Level of speaking Dene Zhatié Effectiveness Mentor Dene zhatié teachers interviewed once at the beginning and at the end with apprentice Next Step