Creating the Middle Space

Nhulunbuy, Yirrkala, Gunyaŋara and the surrounding Homelands in North East Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory of Australia are the home to Yolŋu people and have been for time immemorial. For Yolŋu, metaphor is powerful and living. Metaphors have been used in this region to theorise and apply Yolŋu knowledge systems. It is a way that Yolŋu have communicated a sophisticated meaning making process to explain Yolŋu concepts and ways of being, knowing, and doing. This paper tells the story of three metaphors and how they have created the space for Yolŋu knowledge systems and ways of working to emerge in the context of our work. These place-based metaphors are not static concepts but living theories and practices. They have helped us to forge middle spaces and move closer to shared understandings with tools that the community see as relevant and meaningful. They acknowledge who we are and what we want to influence. They require Yolŋu to lead and, importantly, they are orientated towards the right action.