Adult Indigenous contributions to reviving languages in British Columbia through Mentor-Apprentice style learning: Executive Summary
Date
2018
Authors
McIvor, Onowa
Jacobs, Peter
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Netolnew
Abstract
Our joint research project studied adult Indigenous language learning in British Columbia through the popular Mentor-Apprentice Program (MAP) method. Increasingly, adult Indigenous language learners are identified as the “missing generation” who hold great potential to contribute to the revival of Indigenous languages and act as the middle ground between Elders, children, and youth in their communities.
The research project aimed to document the successes and challenges of MAP in the BC context. Over a three-year period, we interviewed over 60 participants, including current and past apprentices, current and past language mentors, and administrators.
Description
NEȾOLN̲EW̲ means “one mind, one people” or “doing things as one” in the SENĆOŦEN language spoken on southern Vancouver Island. This was the name given to the three-year research partnership between W̲SÁNEĆ School Board / Saanich Adult Education Centre (W̲SB), First Peoples’ Cultural Council (FPCC) and the University of Victoria (UViC). The two community partners are leaders with considerable expertise and experience in Indigenous language revitalization, and in particular with adult language learning through Mentor-Apprentice style programming (MAP).
Keywords
Indigenous language, Mentor-Apprentice style learning
Citation
McIvor, O., & Jacobs, P. (2018). Adult Indigenous contributions to reviving languages in British Columbia through Mentor-Apprentice style learning: Executive Summary. Victoria, British Columbia, Canada: University of Victoria. Retrieved from www.netolnew.ca/resources