Yarning Circles
Experience this culturally respectful practice to build trust and open dialogue within teams.
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The Yarning Circle is a time-honoured cultural practice that fosters a harmonious, collaborative, and respectful way of communicating. This program will introduce you to this powerful method, which has been used by Indigenous peoples for centuries to build trust, share knowledge, and strengthen relationships. By creating a safe space for open dialogue, the Yarning Circle encourages honest interactions, allowing participants to feel heard and respected while fostering a deeper sense of connection within the team.
Who is this for?
This program is for non-Indigenous people who are interested in learning more about First Nations cultures and are looking for a powerful way to build trust and open communication within their teams. It is ideal for anyone seeking to create a more inclusive, empathetic, and collaborative work environment.
What can I expect?
How can we help?
By the end of this program, participants will be able to:
- Recognise how stories nurture empathy and build stronger connections with others.
- Understand how sharing personal stories fosters courage and respect for both your own experiences and those of others.
- Identify how family and community stories shape beliefs and identities.
- Experience how engaging with stories supports deeper learning and understanding.
- Appreciate the lifelong role of stories in teaching and guiding us.
How to book
To discuss your team’s needs, learn about availability, and book your session, please contact us.
Frequently asked questions
A yarning circle is a culturally respectful practice used for centuries by Indigenous peoples around the world. It encourages open and honest conversations in a safe space where everyone is heard, fostering trust, mutual respect, and deeper connections.
This training is designed for non-Indigenous people who are interested in learning more about First Nations cultures, values, and communication practices. It is ideal for teams, leaders, and individuals wanting to build stronger, more respectful workplace relationships.
The training runs for 90 minutes and is delivered online in an interactive format. It is limited to 20 participants to ensure a meaningful and inclusive experience.
What will I learn from attending?
By the end of the session, participants will:
- Understand how storytelling fosters empathy, courage, and respect.
- Recognise how community and family stories shape identity and values.
- Learn how engagement with stories supports deeper learning.
- Appreciate the importance of stories in guiding us through life.
- Explore how connecting personal stories with others develops strengths and motivation.
Yarning circles create a safe and supportive environment where everyone can contribute equally. This helps build trust, encourages open dialogue, strengthens team relationships, and supports more collaborative and inclusive workplaces.
The training can be delivered online or in person, depending on your preference and requirements.
Each session is designed for up to 20 participants to ensure meaningful interaction and genuine dialogue among the group.
To book, please contact us at workplacematters@relationshipmatters.com.au or calling 03 8650 6262.
You are expected to participate in group discussions and skills practice, but only share what you feel comfortable with. We set group agreements at the start of the program to ensure you feel safe to open-up and are given a confidential, non-judgmental and respectful space.
Yes. If you attend all six sessions you’ll receive a Certificate of Completion. If a session is missed, you’ll receive a Certificate of Participation with the number of sessions attended.
No, we do not offer make-up sessions for this program.
No. You may provide a copy of your Certificate, but we do not provide any other information on your participation.
Yes. We are proud to support all dads regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, culture or ability. Our organisation is accredited under:
- Health and Community Service Standards
- Rainbow Tick Standards
- National Standards for Mental Health Services
Yes. Protecting your privacy and wellbeing is central to how we work. The only exceptions are where there are concerns about safety or harm or where we are required to release your information as required by law.