Ida Lennie was taught to speak the Dene language by her grandmother as a young girl, but over the years, Lennie forgot much of what she learned of North Slavey.
That is quickly changing thanks to her involvement in the GNWTSA国际影视传媒檚 mentor-apprentice program.
SA国际影视传媒淎fter losing my grandmother, I gave up on my language. I just stopped speaking Slavey. When I did speak it after, as a teenager, I was laughed at, so I never really bothered with it,SA国际影视传媒� Lennie said from her home in Norman Wells. SA国际影视传媒淣ow I speak better than I used to.SA国际影视传媒�
The mentor-apprentice program pairs fluent speakers of Indigenous languages with committed learners, like Lennie.
Mentor-apprentice pairs are expected to spend 7-10 hours a week together, participating in everyday activities, while speaking only in their chosen language. Over the course of the program, pairs spend a total of 200 hours together SA国际影视传媒渓iving life in the language,SA国际影视传媒� according to the GNWT website. Both mentor and apprentice are paid for their time.
Lennie is currently enrolled in her second year of the program, and has once again paired up with fluent Dene language speaker Cathy Pope.
Both women grew up in Fort Good Hope, but now call Norman Wells home.
SA国际影视传媒淚 have always known her,SA国际影视传媒� Lennie said of Pope. SA国际影视传媒淚 asked her if she wanted to be my mentor for this program, and she said, sure, why not? She was really excited.
SA国际影视传媒淪he speaks fluently. She always speaks to me in the language.SA国际影视传媒�
Each week, the two women meet at each otherSA国际影视传媒檚 houses and take drives together, exchanging stories and conversation in North Slavey. When Lennie has a question about the language, she asks Pope about it. Pope also provides helpful tips and pointers when the need arises.
SA国际影视传媒淪heSA国际影视传媒檒l tell me stories in Slavey, and then I will question her,SA国际影视传媒� Lennie said. SA国际影视传媒淥r if I know I canSA国际影视传媒檛 say a word that sheSA国际影视传媒檚 saying, then we will practice on that.SA国际影视传媒�
While Lennie feels like sheSA国际影视传媒檚 making great strides as a Dene language speaker, she acknowledged there were times during her first year in the mentor-apprentice program that she considered giving up.
SA国际影视传媒淲orking a full-time job, going to [see Pope] in the evening once or twice during work days, and then on the weekend for like four hours, I felt like I wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 getting a break for myself,SA国际影视传媒� she said.
She also admits to having some confidence issues about her ability to converse in the language, particularly with people other than Pope.
SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 shy to speak in front of other people,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 trying to get out of that. ISA国际影视传媒檓 trying to speak more.SA国际影视传媒�
Lennie wants to be able to use the language of her ancestors because her grandmother took the time to teach it to her, and hopes that when she is fluent, she will be able to impart the ability to her own grandchildren.
SA国际影视传媒淎t a very young age, we spoke Slavey all the time, and answered my grandmother in Slavey, because she had no English,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淭o me, itSA国际影视传媒檚 very important to hang onto it. I would like to teach my grandchildren too.SA国际影视传媒�
As of 2019, there were 1,080 North Slavey speakers in the NWT, according to the GNWT website. It is spoken by the Sahtu Dene people, and is the primary Indigenous language in the communities of Norman Wells, Tulita, Colville Lake, Deline and Fort Good Hope.
The mentor-apprentice program is also available for the Dene Suline, Dene Zhatie, Dinjii ZhuSA国际影视传媒� Ginjik, Inuinnaqtun, Inuvialuktun, Nehiyawewin (Cree) and Tlicho languages.
The program is currently accepting applications for its next session. It is open to any adults over 18, however, priority will be given to Indigenous applicants living in the NWT, and those who SA国际影视传媒渃ommit to sharing their language with others upon completing the program,SA国际影视传媒� according to the GNWT website.
Interested mentor-apprentice pairs can fill out an application online, and submit their applications to Indigenous_languages@gov.nt.ca. Applications for the upcoming session are due on Feb. 10.
