Yarning circles build on a ‘yes’ future
Online yarning circles have been taking place across the territory as part of the development of a new, three-year Stretch RAP (Reconciliation Action Plan). This RAP builds on the success of the 2020 Innovate RAP.
The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with a selection of comments listed below from participants:
“This is a step towards reconciliation,” shares Commissioner Miriam Gluyas, Territorial Commander. “Do you want to be part of it? I sure do. I joined a group. Hope you will too. Let’s go forward together.”
“The Salvation Army’s reconciliation journey is for everyone,” says Lucy Davis, Reconciliation Action Plan Manager. “We want voices from every part of our shared country – urban, suburban, rural, regional and remote – so that all of us can speak into the space of how we can improve outcomes for First Nations people.”
“The Yarning circles are so important for everyone to engage with,” says Captain Robert Champion, Corps Officer, Swan Hill (Vic). “For me personally it was about the listening so we all may gain a deeper understanding. I was deeply impacted by personal stories, and it is through respecting individual voices that we may find harmony under our common grace.”
“For me, the yarning circle is the trickling impact of Voice,” explains Kirthana Changramogan, Salvation Army Policy and Advocacy Advisor. “It is really important to bring people together, and while we talk about this a lot, this matter is so deep, we just need to keep talking. There are just so many levels of understanding that it needs to be spread across time. The circle was a beautiful experience and a beautiful closure from Voice. I was in every circle in Voice, and the outcome impacted all of us. This was definitely a closure, and I intend to keep attending the RAP circles.”
“As one of the RAP Circle Facilitators, I have been very grateful for the opportunity to help facilitate deeply meaningful conversations,” says Amielia Wall, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Initial Assessment and Planning Worker. “We have yarned about how we are walking together in the journey of Reconciliation; sharing vulnerably, and respectfully, with people from all walks of life. Participants have connected with each other from across many different areas and states, and across many different streams and branches within The Salvation Army. I have felt blessed to hold space with people in this way. I feel that RAP circles have been spaces that are grounding, inspiring, and hopefully have encouraged people to connect to country, and people, in different ways.”
“I recently attended a yarning circle for the Stretch RAP,” shares Harriet Grace, Acting Team Leader, Inner Sydney - Family and Domestic Violence. “Lucy Davis facilitated the session with incredible energy and knowledge, creating a welcoming environment for Salvation Army personnel to connect. After the session, Lucy encouraged us all to find a green space and put our feet on the ground to connect with Country. Some members of our Family and Domestic Inner-City Team used our lunch break to visit our local park on Gadigal Land. It created a time for us as staff to come away from our desks and come together."
“I appreciate the opportunity to reflect on ways I can help move towards reconciliation and increase my knowledge and awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, both in my role with The Salvation Army and in my life in general," says Caitlin Harcourt, AOD Specialist Project Worker in Coburg North (Vic.).
Innovate RAP and the Stretch RAP
Key differences
The Innovate RAP provides a flexible space for trialling new initiatives, allowing room to assess their impact.
The Stretch RAP supports the implementation of trialled initiatives, helping an organisation drive reconciliation efforts that influence a broader sphere.
RAP circles
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures use yarning circles to learn from a collective group, build respectful relationships and pass on knowledge.
The yarning circles are available for anyone who is part of The Salvation Army. This includes all officers, employees and volunteers. Web-based, Salvation Army-wide gatherings will continue throughout October for all users with a Salvation Army login. To register, click here.
Participants will be able to learn more about reconciliation and contribute to the Stretch RAP and ongoing journey of Reconciliation through participating in the circles.
“Our RAP circles for this journey will be called Ngumbe Bianga Guunung, which means ‘to listen and yarn in our camp/circle’ in the Burunggam language of south-west Queensland – pronounced Gumbi Biang-ga Gooyung,” Lucy explains.
Lucy and her First Nations team will facilitate Ngumbe Bianga Guunung, using the methodology of the Bonyi Bonyi (Bunya Mountains) which means ‘coming together in circle’.
Feet on Country
The team is also leading ‘On country’ RAP circles, which basically means face-to-face circles. The facilitators will also host ‘on Country’ circles in their workplaces. ‘On Country’ circles have so far been held in Alice Springs and Mt Isa with Shirli Congoo, General Manger, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mission Support, and her teams.
Facilitators and support people
Lucy and her team have trained mob from the Burra Burra network to help facilitate the circles.
“Currently we have 13 facilitators, and we are so proud of these mob for stepping up in this space,” she says. “We also have 13 support people who are non-Indigenous mob across the Salvos who I also like to call ‘allies. These include various managers from different streams, from AOD (Alcohol and Other Drugs) to HR (Human Resources) to Doorways. Their role is to support First Nations mob in facilitating the circle and, importantly, to call out racism if it occurs. This part of the RAP project should be promoted and celebrated.”
For those with a Salvation Army login, register for the online yarning circles, click here
