Supporting Youth Yarns 

About Youth Yarns

Youth Yarns is a national series of First Nations-led conversations with ALL young people aged 16-26. It is a safe space for them to speak honestly about their experiences, aspirations, and what adults, organisations, and systems need to understand if they are serious about backing them.

Led by young people and an all First Nations team, and shaped through a First Nations lens, Youth Yarns is designed to centre young people’s voices, perspectives, experience and expertise.

Our Ask to You: Help us connect this opportunity with young people who should be heard in this national conversation. We want to ensure we reach a true cross-section of the community, especially young people who are not always included in formal decision-making spaces.

Youth Yarns Purpose

Through a First Nations lens, centre young people’s voices to shape decisions and drive meaningful change in the youth sector.

Youth Yarns Principles

• Country
• Connection
• Community Directed
• Reciprocity
• Self Determination
• Spirit

Who We Want to Yarn With

We are looking to connect with young people aged 16 – 26 from all walks of life . We want to speak with a broad cross-section of your networks, including:

• First Nations young people
• Regional and remote young people
• Gender diverse and LGBTQIA+ young people
• Multicultural young people
• Young people of diverse abilities
• Young people who are not currently connected with a youth organisation/the youth sector

In-community Session 

1-day per location, consisting of a focused, 4-hour in-community evening workshop (4 – 8 pm)

in a culturally safe venue, with food provided. Participating young people will receive a $100 voucher.

• Group Structure: To ensure a depth of conversation, and the centring of relationship and reciprocity, in-community workshops will be capped at 16 young people per location, ideally and intentionally made up of a broad cross-section of young people like those listed above. 

Alternative Access Options

• Online Workshops: Dedicated 4-hour online evening workshops, 4 – 8pm. Participating young people will receive a $100 voucher. To maintain a relational and effective environment, these online workshops will be capped at 24 participants, ideally and intentionally made up of a broad cross-section of young people like those listed above. 
• Survey Access: Anyone unable to attend either the in-person or online workshops will still have the opportunity to contribute their insights via the survey question.

Summit

All participants of the Youth Yarns will be invited to submit an EOI to attend a summit in late August. Two participants from each State/Territory will be invited by the YDC to attend.

What We Will Be Yarning About

The activities are designed by a Youth Design Crew to be fun, accessible, and engaging. The conversations will centre around five core areas:

• Priorities: What are the most significant enablers and barriers to young people thriving in your community?
• Decision Making: If a large pool of resources (funding, space, influence) were dedicated to young people’s futures, who should decide how it is used?
• Safety & Enablers: Where do young people currently go to feel culturally safe, heard, and supported to lead? What is missing from those spaces?
• Power & Authority: What does a future where youth leadership and First Nations knowledge are at the centre of Australian life actually look like in action?
• Accountability: What does real accountability and reciprocity to young people look like?

What We Will Provide

• Vouchers for participants
• Something to eat
• Facilitation Team (2 x young First Nations Facilitators, 1 x First Nations Story Analyst)

How We Keep the Space Safe and Supportive

• Cultural Safety & Grounding: Sessions are delivered on-country by a minimum three-person, all First Nations team consisting of a Lead Facilitator, Co-Facilitator, and Story Analyst.
• Flexible Participation: Young people do not have to speak in front of everyone if they don’t want to. They can share thoughts in smaller groups, write things down, or use digital tools.
• Care & Incentives: Food will be provided at all in-person sessions, prioritising local First Nations caterers.
• Rigorous Safeguarding: All sessions strictly adhere to DIYDG’s Safeguarding Policies and Procedures.

How You Can Help 

We are taking EOIs right now! You can assist by:

Registering the EOI Link here

For more information

Contact our Team!

Carla McGrath

(e) carla@turnstonecollective.com.au (p) 0410 363 808