These yarning cards support a culturally safe and comfortable space for young people and families through activity-based yarning. You can download both a colour and a black and white version of the cards for free by clicking the links to the left.
There is no right way to use the cards. Questions on each card can be used to prompt conversations about a person’s experiences, values, or perspectives. Individuals may also choose a card that speaks to them personally, using the word or artwork to express their thoughts or feelings, and convey what matters to them most. Practitioners and services can also use the cards to explore how individuals would like to be treated, supported, or cared for.
The front cover of the Yarning Cards set.
The story behind the cards
These cards were created to embed culture into the yarning process, to make conversations feel meaningful, respectful, and connected to Country and community. They were designed as part of a project seeking to improve cultural safety in mental healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.
Thomas Betts, an Aboriginal Project Officer at The Kids Research Institute Australia, collaborated with members of the project’s Aboriginal Advisory Group and the Moorditj Mandi Mob (Youth Group) to create the cards. Each member selected a word or theme that held personal significance to them and shared a story that explained its importance to themselves and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.