Volunteer Summer Program Assistants

CILLDI’s Volunteer Summer Program Assistants (VeSPAs) are assigned to a summer school class in one or two blocks, either as course assistants or tutors for students, and are invited to join any additional social events if they are available. Because summers are busy, we try to be flexible when scheduling VeSPAs - make sure to let us know if you are not available, in your application or by email.

VeSPA responsibilities may include:

  • Assisting students with coursework, questions, etc
  • Providing support to instructors (printing, class set-up)
  • Helping with the organization of social events
  • Being a U of A campus ambassador: showing students from out of town where to find classes, places to eat, residences, and administration buildings
  • Contributing to record-keeping projects (we may ask you to take photos or video)

We welcome applicants with a wide variety of skills and a commitment to the preservation of linguistic diversity. Since VeSPAs will be helping with courses, a background in Linguistics, Education, Native Studies, or Anthropology is an asset, but is not mandatory.

CILLDI aims to support Indigenous people to protect, preserve, promote, practice and pass on their languages. Join us on this journey!

To apply, please complete the Volunteer Program Assistant Application Form online.

Application Form

CILLDI provides valuable experience and networking opportunities for those interested in linguistics, technology and language, and language policy. CILLDI program assistants work with and learn from speakers of Indigenous languages from various language families across Canada and professional linguists on the front lines of language documentation and revitalization."

- Ashleigh, 2016-2020 CILLDI VeSPA