Kelvy Bird, 2018
This event is about listening to and learning from indigenous elders, knowledge keepers and artisans in ‘yarning circles’ or other settings chosen by the elders present. Its about working towards cultural change and greater collaboration and sustainable relationships between all people and Country.
Yarning circles create an opportunity to develop our cultural capacity to listen to and engage respectfully, insightfully and sensitively with indigenous law/lore, teachings, stories and art. They encourage us to recognise indigenous perspectives and to develop our personal and collective understandings of the Sovereignty of Indigenous Knowledge. These circles build our awareness of and respect for the land and for its custodians.
In this spirit, we ask, that while participating in this event, you agree to have respectful interactions, to honour and appreciate difference, to recognise yarning circles as inclusive places where we can share our strengths and insights. We invite you to be open and honest, to listen deeply, to acknowledge the wisdom of others, and to offer your own knowledge and wisdom appropriately in turn.
To introduce yourself correctly, at the start of a yarning circle, please give your name and the country you live on – for example: Bundjalung, Kamilaroi, Dharug, etc. – as well as your place of birth. Please acknowledge Elders past, present and emerging.
A Shift in thinking:
As it is not possible to pay for knowledge shared by the First People, we invite you shift your perception and to attend this event as sponsors. It is not Government funded as a matter of choice; such funding always comes with strings attached.
So we invite you to contribute financially to the costs for elders’ travel, accommodation and food, venue hire and general catering, etc. All work carried by Heartwood and myself, including the organising of the yarning circles, is on a voluntary basis.
You are provided with and morning and afternoon tea and a light lunch each day; your accommodation is not included in the booking.
$300 – Bare Bones – This contribution is a concession rate; please only use this rate if it is truely not possible to pay the standard contribution.
$460 – Standard Contribution – Enables us to run the event as it covers the costs of your attendance and contributes to the expense of having Elders present.
$600 – Kinship Contribution – Makes it possible for Elders to travel with kin or related knowledge holders for support and helps us offer them appropriate accommodation and sustenance.
$1000 – Change Sponsor – Your generosity allows us to bring Elders from remote communities to share their wisdom for the benefit of us all.
If surplus revenue is raised it will be dispersed among Elders to support their work. Feel free to approach the Elders and find out more in conversation.
Dates for Yarning Circles:
28th – 30th May, 2021
Please note: your accommodation is not included in the booking