First Nations Telegraph

Junior Landcare Yarning Circle. Image: supplied

Ahead of Reconciliation Week and as part of Junior Landcare’s 25th anniversary, Junior Landcare has launched a new series of First Nations perspectives education resources, designed to help deepen children’s connection to Country, and enrich their learning experiences and wellbeing through the use of yarning circles.

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The series of eight activities was developed for Landcare Australia’s Junior Landcare program by First Nations educator and proud Wiradjuri man, Adam Shipp, together with environmental educator and education specialist, Sam Harrison.

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Freely available in the Junior Landcare Learning Centre, supported by Woolworths, the resources have been designed to support educators and those working with children to create and use yarning circles respectfully, regularly and in collaboration with First Nations people and organisations.

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“Our old people would sit or stand bare foot on the earth, on the dirt, which itself provided a healing and safe environment,” shared Adam about the significance of yarning circles in First Nations culture.

“We create these circles to be a safe place for all; a space where all people have a chance to yarn on equal terms. These are practices that can be adopted in our schools and early learning centres today, with many benefits – not just for learning outcomes but for children’s physical and mental wellbeing, too.”

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From locating the best place to establish a yarning circle to everyday activities that can be done within a yarning circle, the resources are supported by a series of fun videos featuring Adam together with Junior Landcare ambassador Costa Georgiadis, as well as students, educators and First Nations community members. The videos showcase examples of yarning circles in action, as well as the connections that can be made with the outdoors and with First Nations people throughout the process of creating a circle.

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“Yarning circles are spaces where kids can experience the richness of Indigenous culture and see it come alive; where it can be passed through generations from little ones right up to Year 12s, and even the broader community,” shared Richard Reid, Darumbal man and First Nations parent at one of the participating schools.

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The new resources join 10 curriculum-linked First Nations perspectives learning activities already available in the Junior Landcare Learning Centre, including Local Seasons: Exploring First Nations weather, Creating an Indigenous plant use garden, and Whose Country, exploring First Nations people’s languages map.

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According to Dr Shane Norrish, Landcare Australia CEO: “We couldn’t be prouder to be expanding our collection of First Nations perspectives resources. By empowering educators, parents, carers, community groups and individuals – significantly children and young people who are the landcarers and leaders of the future – to develop a deeper understanding of First Nations practices and foster meaningful partnerships with Traditional Owners and First Nations people, our children will be better equipped to look after the land and their futures.”

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To access Junior Landcare’s First Nations perspectives resources and new yarning circle activities, click here.