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At just four years old, a little girl from the red dust of Tennant Creek was placed in the back of a police car and driven away from everything she knew – her family, her country, her identity. She would be sent across land and sea to Croker Island, as one of many Aboriginal children who were removed under policies that would later be known as the Stolen Generations.
Decades later, she would come face to face with the man involved in her removal who asked for forgiveness. Through remarkable strength, she chose compassion. She forgave him.
Her story came full circle, echoing across generations and eventually reaching the heart of a nation, when then–Prime Minister Kevin Rudd shared her experiences during the 2008 National Apology to the Stolen Generations.
This is not just one woman’s story. It’s a story about what was taken, what survived and what can still be healed. It is about forgiveness in the face of injustice, about the weight and hope of reconciliation, and about the power of remembering who you are, even after the world tries to make you forget.
Told by Dr Richard Fejo, Lorna’s son, this story honours her life and reflects the importance of truth. Above all, it’s a story that asks us to listen.
Because every one of us has a part to play, reflected in the theme for this year’s National Reconciliation Week – ‘All In’.
The story of Lorna Fejo
Richard Fejo
Despite being bullied as a child for being “skinny” and for having only one arm, Richard, an Aboriginal man from the Larrakia (Darwin) and Warramungu (Tennant Creek) peoples, has gone on to achieve extraordinary things.
He captured national attention by rewriting the Welcome to Country delivered at the 2020 AFL Dreamtime match, calling out different mobs across the crowd and creating a powerful moment of unity. It has since reached more than 200,000 views on YouTube.
A talented athlete, Richard represented the Northern Territory four times in rugby union and was twice selected for the Australian Schoolboys (Division 2), fulfilling his childhood dream of playing against New Zealand in 1988 and England in 1989.
Beyond sport, Richard has made a lasting impact as a leader, educator, and advocate. He became the first First Nations person appointed to the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIS) board, where he continues to serve nationally.
An Elder, honorary Doctor at Flinders University, and cultural educator, he has spent over 30 years working across 40 remote communities in the Northern Territory and 15 years teaching Aboriginal culture.
An accomplished international speaker, Richard is also a creative force—expressing himself as a songwriter, painter, and stand-up comedian.
