Yarning Circles

Yarning Circles are the cornerstone to how Yeddung Mura operates, whether that be in the office or the delivering support, services and program delivery.

History

The Yarning Circle is rooted in the traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. They are used for sharing knowledge, building relationships, and fostering community. They are a reflection of Indigenous ways of communicating, learning, and healing, where everyone is considered equal, and there is no hierarchy.

Format

In a Yarning Circle, participants sit in a circle, which symbolises equality and promotes open, honest, and respectful communication. The circle encourages active listening, mutual respect, and shared understanding.

Facilitators

Facilitators are encouraged to set clear intentions, ensure equality, encourage active listening, and allow everyone a chance to speak without interruption.

Community Building

Yarning Circles strengthen our community bonds by providing a safe space for sharing experiences, building support networks, and reinforcing cultural identity.

Deliver Programs in an Inclusive Learning Environment

Yarning Circles are used to deliver our programs considering our Indigenous culture. The Programs provide a unique, accepting, healing place that is culturally safe and takes account of differences in experiences, ways of communicating, values, kinship, families and insight into healing and that recognises the impact of trans-generational trauma, history and experiences on current life situations of Aboriginal men and women exiting jail.

Continuous Learning

Yeddung Mura focuses for a positive journey for all our clients. The yarning topics/discussions are chosen to target key areas relevant to our clients, such as coping with grief, anxiety, stress and depression. Cognitive behavioural talks are facilitated to initiate lifestyle changes. Inspirational success stories from other Aboriginal men and women will be shared, to motivate clients. The discussions are targeted the key areas relevant to our clients in order to provide trauma-informed support, build protective factors for participants, and reduce risk factors that may lead to contact with the justice system.

Healing & Well-Being

They as therapeutic spaces where individuals can share personal stories, traumas, or emotions in a non-judgmental environment, aiding in emotional healing and well-being.

Conflict Resolution

They provide a structured yet informal setting for resolving disputes by encouraging dialogue and understanding from all perspectives. Cultural Preservation: By practicing this tradition, Indigenous knowledge, stories, customs, and language are preserved and passed down to future generations, aiding in cultural resilience.

Health & Community Services

They've been utilized to discuss health issues like vaccinations, fostering trust and better engagement with Indigenous communities on these topics.