Talking Circles

Talking circles emerge from traditional Indigenous community practice of respecting individual understandings within collective endeavours / events (Archibald, 2008). Most “involve people sitting in a circle, where each person has the opportunity to take an uninterrupted turn in discussing the topic” (Wilson, 2008, p. 41). The purpose is not to check comprehension, but to understand what meanings each person in the circle is bringing to the topic under consideration. The circles are loosely structured around open-ended questions allowing “research participants greater control over what they wish to share” (Kovach, 2010, p. 124).

We have chosen to use talking circles as a means of hearing what you have to say about the garden project. While we might have a broad question for starting discussion. it is really up to you what ideas, issues, concerns etc. come to the fore in the sessions.

Food is generally involved!