Debra Harding-Morris

Debra Harding-Morris, is from the Taungurung tribe and Yowung-Illam Baluk clan. In this submission, she discuss her grandmother, who was born at Coranderrk Mission, was told to hide her Aboriginal heritage, leading Debra to grow up believing they were Maori. In her 20s, she discovered her Aboriginal heritage, which explained her lifelong feeling of not fitting in. Debra’s connection to nature and the spiritual realm helped her navigate life’s challenges. Learning about her heritage brought both understanding and a profound sense of loss. Her journey has been one of seeking community and coping with disconnection from the world.