What are yarning places?

Our yarning places (formerly called communities of practice ... more info) are electronic networks that enable people with an interest in Indigenous health to share information, knowledge and experience – even when they live in different States, Territories and regions, come from different sectors (such as health, education and justice), and work for different organisations.

By combining quality, up-to-date web-based information resources with yarning places we aim to create 'one stop info-shops' for people working, studying or interested in various Indigenous health issues. When you join a yarning place – membership is free – you will have access to electronic services that assist members to network, yarn and share information and experiences online:

  • The e-mob list provides members' contact details (permission to display the details is obtained beforehand).
  • The e-yarning board is an electronic board for discussion and debate about relevant issues.
  • The e-message stick is an email list (listserve) for communicating with other members.

Our yarning places also provide information about current news and events, and encourage both members and non-members to share their information and experiences by submitting details about programs, projects, reports, and resources.

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What yarning places are currently available?

Web resources and electronic services have been developed to support yarning places for various aspects of Indigenous health. Their development has been made possible with funding and collaboration from organisations with expertise in these areas.

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What yarning places are currently under development?

We are currently exploring funding options to develop yarning places for other Indigenous health priorities. If you are aware of any possible sources of funding, please contact us (view HealthInfoNet contact details).

Would you like to join a yarning place?

The yarning places are still very new and we need your help to develop these online networks. If you are working or studying in the areas of Indigenous health covered by our various yarning places we invite you to become an e-mob member, share your info, and spread the word.

Membership is free and online application forms are available from the home page of each web resource. Visit the web resource of your choice to learn more about how to join up and log in to the associated yarning place.

Once you have joined one yarning place, you will be able to join others through the 'my yarning places' section. To access the yarning place (e-mob, e-yarning board, e-message stick and 'my yarning places), you will need to log in and enter your email address and password. (Just a reminder - your password is the one you submitted on the e-mob membership form).

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Endnotes

Our yarning places (electronic networks) are based on the 'community of practice' model. More information on the 'community of practice' model is available on the website of Dr Etienne Wenger, an internationally recognised leader in the field of communities of practice (view further information).

We are in the process of updating the terminology used in referring to our electronic networks – from 'community of practice' and associated terms to more Indigenous-related terms ('yarning place', 'e-yarning' and 'e-message stick') – but some sections may still use the old terminology.

 

You can contribute to improving the health of Australia's Indigenous people by assisting the HealthInfoNet's work
Last updated: 14 December 2007