Yarning/Aboriginal storytelling: Towards an understanding of an Indigenous perspective and its implications for research practice

Abstract

There is increasing recognition of Indigenous perspectives from various parts of the world in relation to storytelling, research and its effects on practice. The recent emergence of storytelling or yarning as a research method in Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island studies and other Indigenous peoples of the world is gaining momentum. Narratives, stories, storytelling and yarning are emerging methods in research and has wide ranging potential to shape conventional research discourse making research more meaningful and accessible for researchers. In this paper we argue for the importance of Indigenous research methods and Indigenous method(ology), within collaborative respectful partnerships with non-Indigenous researchers. It is imperative to take these challenging steps together towards better outcomes for Indigenous people and their communities. In the Australian context we as researchers cannot afford to allow the gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and mainstream Australia health outcomes to grow even wider. One such pathway is the inclusion of Aboriginal storytelling or yarning from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait perspective within Indigenous and non-Indigenous research paradigms. Utilising Aboriginal storytelling or yarning will provide deeper understanding; complementing a two-way research paradigm for collaborative research. Furthermore, it has significant social implications for research and clinical practice amongst Indigenous populations; thus complementing the biomedical medical paradigm.

Indigenous Research Methods: A Systematic Review

“…Additionally, several articles reinforced the importance of including Indigenous Peoples in the research process (i.e., in data collection and/or analysis) (Cameron et al, 2014;Dennis, 2014;Evans et al, 2009;Geia, 2013;Helps & Barclay, 2015;Nakamura, 2013;Russell-Mundine, 2007). Authors that specifically utilized an Indigenous mixed methods approach noted the main benefit was having an opportunity to include marginalized voices in the research (Botha, 2012;Chilisa & Tsheko, 2014;Hill et al, 2010).…”

“…Relationality is inherent in storytelling and this component can help to ensure that the participants are respected as equal partners in the uncovering of knowledge (DyllMykelbust, 2014). Yarning is also helpful in decolonizing the research process and removing the power imbalance inherent in the researcher-subject relationship (Geia et al, 2013). Careful listening is inherent in yarning, as one should be fully engaged in the conversation at hand (Russell-Mundine, 2007).…”

“…Yarning is considered by some to be a subtype of storytelling methodology; one research team (Geia, Hayes, & Usher, 2013) used the terms somewhat interchangeably throughout their paper.…”

The Pituri Learning Circle: central Australian Aboriginal women’s knowledge and practices around the use of Nicotiana spp. as a chewing tobacco

“…The dialogue was conducted over 4 hours by AR (a non-Aboriginal, tertiary qualified, health practitioner) and AM (a remote Aboriginal, tertiary qualified, organisational leader) with at least one interpreter present at all times. The dialogue used the technique of 'yarning' advocated by several authors [17][18][19] as a method for successfully establishing, progressing and completing interviews with Aboriginal participants.…”

Assessing the Prison Experience for Australian First Peoples: A Prospective Research Approach

“…Further, it has participant and community credibility, something not normally associated with more traditional research methods in which First Peoples find themselves with little connection except as suppliers of raw data (Fredericks et al 2011). Use of a yarning process has a capacity to build relationships that could reduce the level of generalised distrust First Peoples have developed towards researchers, which benefits communities, participants and researchers (Dean 2010;Geia et al 2013;Martin 2008). Yarning also provides a professional and personal development opportunity for First Peoples and non-Indigenous researchers (Durie 2005).…”