Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS THE AWARD AMOUNT?
Mentors will receive a $2,500 teaching honorarium. An additional $500 is available for travel related costs and supplies.
WHAT IS A TRADITIONAL ART?
Ash gathering, sweet grass braiding, basket weaving, quill working, birch bark canoe making, woodcarving, tool making, knife making, bead working, singing, storytelling— these arts reflect the values and practices of a shared culture based on tribal affiliation and/or family background. Traditional arts are learned in an informal way, one-on-one, usually through observation and example rather than through classes or formal instruction.
WHO CAN BE A MENTOR?
Mentors are tribal members who are expert in a particular tradition, craft or technique and are interested in passing on the tradition to a student of their choice. Mentors are recognized by the Wabanaki community as exemplary practitioners and keepers of cultural knowledge.
WHO CAN BE A STUDENT?
Students are Wabanaki tribal members living in the United States who are committed to learning a particular skill from the mentor, have some basic experience in or knowledge of the traditional art being taught and are interested in continuing the skill beyond the mentorship.
HOW LONG DO MENTORSHIPS LAST?Mentorships can last up to a year and are based on a schedule determined by both mentor and student.
WHAT IS THE REVIEW PROCESS?
Mentorship applications are reviewed
on a competitive basis using the
following criteria:
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Expertise and skill of the mentor according to the standards of the traditional community
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Feasibility of work plan
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Impact of mentorship on continued vitality of the tradition
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Skill and commitment of the student
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CAN A MENTOR AND STUDENT APPLY TO THE PROGRAM MORE THAN ONCE?
Yes, a mentor and student can apply to the program more than once. However, they must complete a full year the mentorship before applying together again.
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For example, if a mentor and student receive funding for the summer cycle one year, they are not eligible to receive funding until the summer of the following year.
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CAN A MENTOR APPLY MORE THAN ONCE PER PROGRAM YEAR?
A mentor may apply to the program once per cycle if they are mentoring at least two different students.
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Because funding is limited, we will not be able to guarantee that if a mentor is funded during one cycle that they will be funded during the next.
WHAT IS THE APPLICATION CYCLE?
We offer two application cycles per year. Applications typically open in the summer and winter.
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WHAT IS THE NEXT APPLICATION DEADLINE?
Sunday, September 8, 2023 by 11:59PM
Sunday, February 4, 2024 by 11:59PM
WHEN WILL I KNOW IF I AM
SELECTED FOR AN AWARD?
Monday, September 11, 2023
Monday, February 16, 2024
HOW DO I APPLY?
Fill out the application form and submit it via the website, email, or regular mail, along with work samples from both the mentor and the student. You may each submit up to five work samples.
I HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS—HOW DO I GET MORE INFORMATION?
Please contact the program using our contact form or calling us at (207) 517-9938.
© Peter Dembski