Interfaith Yarns for Yes

WHAT IS THIS EVENT?

Join us for a community yarn on the Voice to Parliament referendum and what writing “Yes” means to us. 

The event will start with a Welcome to Country, followed by a keynote address by Aunty Margret Campbell on the intersections of faith, human spiritual connection, and Country. Aunty Margret is a Djunghutti–Djirringanj Elder and a veteran advocate in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander activism.

We will then come together into yarning circles, where we will be:

• Talking about the democratic process of a referendum.
• Sharing why supporting a constitutional recognition of Australia's First Nations peoples is in line with our diverse faith traditions, spiritual practices, and cultural backgrounds.
• Discussing tools and techniques to help us speak to our friends and families about writing a Yes in support of a Voice to Parliament.

Simple snacks will be provided. Please arrive at 6pm for a 6.15pm start.

WHAT IS A YARNING CIRCLE?

A yarning circle is an Aboriginal cultural protocol where participants sit in a circle to share their stories and experiences. All participants respect one another by listening intently and speaking only when it is their turn. It is a powerful and democratic tool for truth-telling. 

By basing this event on an Aboriginal cultural protocol and centering cultural advice, we aim to give Aboriginal cultures, wisdom and lived experiences the respect that's due.

We ask and expect all attendees to do their best to follow cultural protocol in good faith during this event. If at any time you need clarification, please feel free to ask members of the organising team, who will be wearing purple shirts.

WHO ARE WE?

We are an alliance of people of faith comprising Muslim Collective, Newtown Synagogue, and members of the Seventh Day Adventist and Catholic churches. We have come together because we want to honour and listen to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in a moment where Australia can and must move forward together.

We know that Aboriginal peoples are strong and capable. We know that they know what's best for their communities. When we listen to Aboriginal people on issues that affect them, we will be a stronger, more equal nation. Our vision for Australia is of a nation that knows the entirety of its history and guarantees a better future for generations to come.  

We want to see Australia write a resounding "YES" on referendum day. To us, “Yes” means a pathway to treaty, truth-telling, land rights, ending deaths in custody – a “Yes” to transformative change and justice.

WHO CAN COME?

Everyone! Have you heard about the referendum, but don’t know much about it? Are you a bit overwhelmed by the information that’s out there? Do you have questions? We’d love to have a yarn, whether you identify as a person of faith or not. We hope that this will give you some insight into the resilience of Aboriginal communities in the fight for equal rights, what it means to respect Country, and how our faiths can motivate us to write "Yes" in the referendum.

RESOURCES TO GET YOU GOING

Uluru Statement from the Heart
FAQs about the referendum
Aunty Margret's bio