Introducing the Belonging Mat
The Library is excited to introduce a new resource that supports cultural learning and inclusive practice: the Belonging Mat, now available for borrowing by students and staff.
This initiative is part of our ongoing commitment to reconciliation and the respectful inclusion of First Nations knowledge systems in our learning environments.
What is it?
The artwork is designed by local Bundjalung artist Christine Slabb, and the mat is made by a 100% Aboriginal-owned and operated business.
It can be used to support informal gatherings, such as yarning circles - a traditional practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Yarning circles are spaces for storytelling, deep listening, and shared learning. They foster connection, respect, and understanding among participants.
The mat helps define the physical and symbolic space of a yarning circle, creating a welcoming environment where everyone feels safe to speak and be heard.
The mat is:
• 2.4m diameter
• Recycled plastic in a recycled plastic bag
Why it matters
Yarning circles are more than just a way to communicate. They are a way of being. They reflect values of respect, equality, and community. By borrowing and using the Belonging Mat, students and staff can engage with these values and start to explore Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing.
Our Bond University Elder, Uncle John Graham, encourages staff and students to utilise the Belonging Mat within a safe space to support culturally respectful conversations and discussions.
"What is said on the mat stays within the group - it is not to be shared unless the group agrees to this protocol."
Borrowing the mat
The Belonging Mat is available for loan from the Main Library and can be used in classrooms, meetings, workshops, or informal gatherings outdoors.
• Who can borrow? Students and staff
• Where? Library Service Desk
• Loan period: Usually 1 day, but ask at the desk if you would like it for an extra day.
The mat comes in a carry bag.