Elder on Campus Richard Fejo believes education is knowledge and knowledge is power but wisdom is what we do with our power. We spoke with Richard about developing culturally safe teaching and learning spaces, plus his favourite place in the NT to recharge.
What is your role here at Flinders?
Elder on Campus.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I start my day at 6.30am and arrive at the office checking emails and calendar. My planning in my calendar is very important as I need to spend time with staff and students in supportive roles that include cultural education, Reconciliation Action Plan group, Indigenous workplace strategy group, Elder development and planning, NTMP work, Poche work and supervisor training as required. In addition, I am the current Chair of the Australia Day Council NT, the first and only First Nations national Board member on the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) that sits above NDIS, Elder in residence with Brown’s Mart Theatre (Darwin) and recognised Larrakia community Elder in the leadership space.
Why is it important to have an Elder on Campus?
Elders are our teachers, who through knowledge taught to them by their Elders, are able to share wisdom from First Nations perspectives. A lot of my knowledge was developed on country in culturally rich settings but passed onto me and this enables me to share my wisdom with others. My mother would often say, education is knowledge and knowledge is power, but I have added to what my mother would say by including, “education is knowledge and knowledge is power, wisdom is what we do with our power.” I believe this makes great leaders.
What’s a goal/milestone you’d like to see Flinders realise in the future?
I would like to see the Elders program grow so Flinders Elders are able to work with community Elders in developing culturally safe teaching and learning, supported by Cultural Educators in the community so our training can be central (such as Darwin) and local (such as remote). We need to expand this framework across the Northern Territory and South Australia to support growth.
Do you have a favourite place to visit in the NT?
Old Man Rock or Dadaba Nungalinya which is the Larrakia people’s most sacred site and a place where we can talk with our ancestors and recharge our spirits.
Tell us about your ideal weekend.
I can do anything but I have recently been working on music as a project and enjoy writing, developing and performing music. I have uploaded three songs to date across all music platforms (Heather’s Song, Black Power and Moments so please check them out under my stage name LIRIX) and have another seven songs yet to be released over my six year music writing and development career. I chose this after performing comedy for six years simply because I want to live life to its fullest and this means that we need to challenge ourselves to achieve the best of ourselves.