The NWT’s Mentor-Apprentice Program is looking for speakers of Indigenous languages and enthusiastic learners to apply for its next intake.
In the program, apprentices do everyday activities with their fluent mentor using only their Indigenous language. The program’s guiding philosophy, the NWT government said in a press release, is “living life in the language.”
Apprentices spend five to seven hours each week with their mentor, completing 200 hours of immersion over approximately nine months starting in May 2026.
“The program is open to learners of all levels. Pairs are paid for their time in the program with funding from both the Government of the Northwest Territories and their Indigenous government,” the territorial government stated.
Up to 10 pairs per Indigenous government partnership will be selected. The current intake has 53 pairs taking part, the GNWT said.
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“It’s such a successful program. We had apprentices who were in the program three years in a row who became mentors,” Tłı̨chǫ Government language revitalization manager Jacynthia Rabesca told Cabin Radio last year.
“We want our language to be stronger, and the only way that’s going to happen is through creating more speakers.”
The deadline to apply is February 28, 2026. Mentors and apprentices must apply together. More information is available on the GNWT’s website.
