Youth Empowered Speakers Program (Canada)

Deadline: 25-Apr-22

Are you a British Columbia (BC) First Nations student age 18-30 who is interested in learning your language while working towards a rewarding career as a language immersion teacher or early childhood immersion educator? If yes, then start your application to First Peoples’ Cultural Council’s (FPCC) Youth Empowered Speakers (YES) program!

The aim of mentor-apprentice learning is to create fluent speakers where a mentor is paired with an “apprentice” or learner. It is a one-on-one immersion method where the mentor and apprentice spend time doing everyday activities, while using the language at all times.

Goals

• The goal of the Youth Empowered Speakers program is for youth to learn their language while preparing for a career in language revitalization in one of two streams:
  • Early Childhood Immersion Educator Stream for ECE students alongside their education
    • Learn Your Language: Up to1000 hours of immersion with a mentor
    • Internship: Gain Experience in a daycare center
    • Study: Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Certification
    • Language Career: Work in community languages and 100% immersion for preschoolers
  • Language Immersion Teacher Stream for BEd. students alongside their education
    • Learn Your Language: Up to960 hours of immersion with a mentor
    • Internship: Develop resources for teaching
    • Study: Bachelor of Education
    • Language Career: Language immersion teacher in the community

Funding Information

• Grant Amount: Up to $29,550
• Project Term: July 1, 2022 – April 30, 2023

Eligibility Criteria

• The Youth Empowered Speakers Program is open to youth aged 18-30 who are members of a First Nations community in British Columbia. You do not need to be living in your community (on reserve) to be eligible; urban applicants are also eligible.
• Early Childhood Immersion Educator Stream: Applicants must apply and be accepted for, or be currently enrolled in, an Early Childhood Education (ECE) program. This program is done alongside the student’s studies in an ECE program.
• Language Immersion Teacher Stream: Applicants must apply and be accepted for, or be currently enrolled in, a Bachelor of Education (BEd) program. This program is done alongside the student’s studies in a BEd program.

For more information, visit https://fpcc.ca/program/yes/