Yukon First Nation hires people to learn Indigenous language and become teachers

The Champagne andAishihikFirst Nations in Yukonaretaking anunusual approach toward getting students to participate in a Southern Tutchone language immersion program they're paying them.

The hope is that the endangered Indigenous language will be revitalized.

"All the students are put on a salary. They are given a bi-weekly allowance and we take care of all the taxes,"saidChampagne andAishihikchief Steve Smith.

• Yukon first nations to launch Southern Tutchone language immersion program, for grownups

"We really wanted to see the success not only in the programbut the students themselves, and give them the least amount of worries."

Smith says it's about allowing students to focus on learning the language through immersion.The goal of the program is for the students to speak SouthernTutchoneat all times during class.

Ten adult students of all ages have been chosen to participate. Thetwo-year experimental learning programstarted classes in early September and they'll rununtil June.

Smith says it's a critical investment in keeping the Southern Tutchonelanguage alive for future generations.

"There are probably fiveto sixfully fluent speakers within Champagne and Aishihik First Nations itself," said Smith.

"The hope is they will become teachers, going down the road. We will rely on these individuals to help us in revitalizing our language not only from a First Nations program standpoint, we are hoping that there is going to be a transfer of this language into their homes as well."

The First Nations areinvesting up to $1million to support the program.

Money has been set aside throughChampagne Aishihik compensation and investment funds. The ten students are funded as language apprentices.