On Friday, July 5, First Nations academic and proud Noongar man, Professor Shane Hearn, ran a Yarning Circle in Perth — a cultural connection and awareness workshop exclusively for ACA members and partners.
The session offered an insightful overview of the historical and contemporary significance of Yarning Circles in First Nations culture and within the creative industry.
Through practical exercises, participants experienced the benefits firsthand, learning how to break down hierarchies, foster openness, facilitate meaningful conversations, and enhance the ideation and creative process.
Hearn said: “Yarning Circles have been used across Indigenous communities for thousands of years and act as a conversational process for storytelling, sharing knowledge, safeguarding beliefs and culture, and finding the right ways to solve problems without conflict, hostility, or blame.
“Importantly, Yarning Circles are an approach to creative problem-solving, and by utilising them, agencies can draw inspiration from the world’s oldest and most creative culture, enriching their own practices and fostering a more inclusive, innovative and collaborative work environment,” he said.
Hearn also shared strategies for creating culturally sensitive campaigns, and how, in the context of advertising narratives, the principles and power of Aboriginal storytelling can be adapted to create compelling campaigns and outcomes for clients.
If you’d like to find out more, or if your agency is interested in running this workshop, please register your interest here. Below are testimonials from a few of those who attended.
“The Yarning Circle session was a fantastic opportunity to immerse ourselves in culture and better understand new ways – which are actually very old ways – of doing creative business together.”
Nahum Hendricks, Content & Creative Director, MINT.
“It was a great opportunity to learn about the process of the Yarning Circle and how it should be used within our industry and our company to create more of a sharing environment. It allowed a sense of exposure, as I had never really been aware of how, for example, we use a table as a physical and subconscious security barrier in meetings. Being more open and vulnerable does allow for a stronger connection and more open dialogue.”
James Gillespie, Creative Head, Trilogy Advertising and Marketing
“This session provided a wonderful opportunity for people from diverse backgrounds to come together. Working in teams on exercises and briefs highlighted the significant benefits of Yarning Circles in the creative process, demonstrating that great ideas can come from anywhere and anyone.
Melissa Vella, WA State Manager, ACA
