The importance of yarning
NRM NEWS – NOVEMBER 2020 – GENERAL INFORMATION
By Keisha Egan
Land Services Officer P: 03 5881 9945 | M: 0428 062 369 | E: keisha.egan@lls.nsw.gov.au
Nyerna - To sit, to listen, to hear, to remember – Wamba Wamba – Yarkuwa Dictionary
I acknowledge the Traditional custodians of the land that I work, which is the Wamba Wamba, Perrepa Perrepa, and Yorta Yorta land. I acknowledge my elders, both past and present. I acknowledge all the Aboriginal peoples of the community’s, all over Australia that are sharing their stories, history, and their knowledge because they are the ones that keep our culture alive.
Yarning is a way of sharing knowledge; it’s conversations that help build relationships in a safe place; these casual conversations are not structured to timelines or subject. By providing unstructured time to touch on things such as life, family, health and achievements, builds strong relationships and mutual respect for one another.
Non-aboriginal people and Aboriginal people all yarn, whether it’s called yarning or just catching up with an old mate. These conversations provide the opportunity to knowledge share or to share personal information to support others through hard times. By taking the time to yarn with Aboriginal people of your community, you may find that you are sharing as much knowledge about country as they are with you. We are never too old to learn!
The Ramsar Yarning group was set up as a way of staying in contact with our Aboriginal group stakeholders during the covid pandemic to provide project updates, share knowledge, and identify opportunities.
The real benefit of a casual yarn is that you will build stronger and more respectful relationships, and you may find the answer to how we can all bring health back to our country. Working together is the way forward.
