Yulawil Sharing Circle

This report documents the Yulawil Sharing Circle, a series of conversations convened by Nalderun Education Aboriginal Corporation. The Circle brought together First Nations organisation members, allies and youth over three sessions across three months to discuss how organisations currently support First Nations youth, and to imagine how that support could look instead.

The report sets out a series of challenges, themes and recommendations drawn from these conversations. It notes that organisations often lack clear intentions when working with young people, and are not always set up for person-centred or trauma-informed practice. Key recommendations include shifting outcomes and pay structures to reflect young people's own wisdom and contributions, practising circular mentoring where everyone engages as a learner, grounding the work in guidance from Elders and community rather than corporate or government priorities, and ensuring spaces are safe before young people enter them. A recurring point throughout is that more time is needed for these conversations, and this reflects only a partial picture of the work required.

The report includes reflections from participants and from Nalderun's own Yulawil team, describing the value of an honest, connected space for sharing across organisations, and the new relationships and opportunities this created. Readers will gain insight into what First Nations-led, youth-centred practice can look like within organisations, along with a set of concrete recommendations for shifting current approaches.