The Yuin Digital Keeping Place is live, and it’s something to celebrate!
The Yuin Digital Keeping Place is an online portal housing more than 160 short films, three language dictionaries, and cultural and historical documentation drawn from state institutions, local archives, and personal collections. Developed as a collaboration between representatives from the Yuin community and SharingStories Foundation, the project aims to maintain and reaffirm Yuin cultural knowledge and language, and develop a shared sense of belonging with the wider community.
The virtual space has been developed over three years of consultation and collaboration and brings together Elders, cultural custodians, researchers and filmmakers to preserve and share Yuin stories for generations to come. All aspects of the project, from governance, content design and film production to language work and branding, have been guided and approved by the Yuin Project Working Group, ensuring the Keeping Place reflects community priorities, protocols and aspirations.
Formed in 2022, the Yuin Project Working Group includes members from Batemans Bay, Moruya, Narooma, Tilba, Wallaga Lake, Cobargo and Eden. Members Bunja Smith, Patricia Ellis OAM, Vivienne Mason, Lynne Thomas, Cheryl Davison, Warren Foster, Uncle Gary Campbell, Judy Norris, Uncle BJ Cruse and the late Lorraine Naylor (deceased).
Supported by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and the Australian Government’s Indigenous Languages and Arts Program, along with local community partners, the Yuin Digital Keeping Place sets a new benchmark for community-led digital archiving and storytelling in Australia. By opening the platform to the nation, Yuin Custodians and communities are inviting deeper understanding, respect and connection, while ensuring Yuin knowledge is safeguarded and strengthened for generations to come.
Being part of the Yuin Digital Keeping Place has been an honour for SharingStories Foundation. We’re proud to support a project that centres Yuin authority, celebrates living and surviving culture, and creates something meaningful for future generations. We’re excited to share this work and to see how the platform is used, taught with, returned to, and grown by community and the public over time.
To learn more about the Yuin Digital Keeping Place go to: https://yuindkp.org/