Kangaroo Mia King opens up on her incredible family history ahead of AFLW indigenous round

Mia King’s family history is one of the most unique in the game. The proud Indigenous woman opens up on her family’s journey from the Stolen Generation to starring in AFLW.

Ahead of AFL Women's indigenous round this weekend. Mia King from North Melbourne with the specially designed Sherrin football by female artist Gabriel Stengle. Tidna Parntu means Australian Rules Football in Kaurna Country. Picture: David Caird.

Mia King is built on resilience.

Now at North Melbourne, King grew up on Lutruwita land in Launceston, Tasmania, but her connection to her indigenous roots harks all the way to southeast of Darwin – Jawoyn/Mangaryi country.

That was Margaret’s place – her paternal grandmother. She went by Maggie.

“My story is unfortunately like a lot of other First Nations people,” Kangaroos midfielder King begins.

“My grandmother was part of the Stolen Generation, so my story does involve a lot of pain and disconnection, not only from our culture, but from each other.

“She was from Jawoyn and Mangaryi mob, which is from Mataranka in the Northern Territory.

“But she was stolen as a young child from her family home and raised in a mission camp in Croker Island.”

Mia King is proud to be part of AFLW indigenous round, pictured with a special Sherrin for the fortnight. Tidna Parntu means Australian Rules football in Kaurna Country. Picture: David Caird

That camp – 250km off the coast of Darwin, which was run for over 20 years – was operated by the Methodist Overseas Mission.

It housed kids from Darwin and Alice Springs in temporary cottages before the Second World War, when it was shut down in February of 1942 where the children, from Darwin and Alice Springs, were evacuated.

It was to become known as the Croker Island Exodus.

To New South Wales.

No planes.

Few trains.

“The nuns had to walk the kids much of the way to Sydney, through croc-infested waters,” King says.

Maggie ended up in Adelaide later on, and had four children – one being Mia’s dad, who was adopted as a newborn.

Another generation of forced disconnect.

The effects remain.

“It’s had that flow-on effect to me and my sister, too,” the 22-year-old says.

“That’s why I get upset when people say ‘well, it happened so long ago’. Really, it wasn’t.

“There’s people walking among us that really struggle with their sense of identity as a result of what has happened – and for many people, that feeling continues today.

“It’s been hard trying to put bits and pieces together without really knowing the full story … I’m really proud of my dad and my grandmother for their resilience throughout all the challenges that they faced and my father continues to face today.

“When I’m facing hard times, I think about them and how resilient they have been and it inspires me to do my best.”

When King’s mother told Mia and sister Molly of their indigenous heritage, the North Melbourne midfielder’s interest was immediately piqued – the research began.

“The moment she told me about it, I was absolutely amazed. The story of my family is really unique. My great grandmother and great grandfather had one of the very early interracial marriages in Australia,” King revealed.

“During that era, full-blooded Aboriginals were automatically declared a ward of the state, so my great grandfather had to apply for my great grandmother to be able to live with him in the town.

King is a pivotal part of the Roos’ flag push.

“When mum told me that, it really struck me that love like this could occur in such an unlikely time and they could overcome so many challenges for their love to triumph.

“That’s why I love indigenous round – people are all coming together from different backgrounds, different cultures to celebrate something so special.

“The fact that did occur back then, love and respect can conquer anything.”

But as King grappled with her own identity, so too came some confusing commentary from others in Launceston.

“I knew that I had this part of my heritage growing up in Tassie, but then some people would be saying ‘you can’t be (indigenous), you’ve got red hair’ and ‘you’re not indigenous’ and stuff,” she said.

“(Fellow footballer) Courtney Ugle has been someone that I’ve really looked up to through my football journey and she faced a lot of that as well with comments about looks which I think are really insensitive.

“I’m really proud of this side of my heritage. Even though there’s a lot of learning to do, I’m excited to plan a trip up to the NT and hopefully go back to where a lot of my family is from.”

King – now a vital part of the Kangaroos’ push for a maiden premiership – only started playing footy in Year 10 upon suggestion from a schoolteacher, but loved the team aspect having moved from gymnastics.

“Everyone’s out there with you and you feel like you’re really supported, which was really nice,” she said.

King is the product of an incredible family story. Picture: Getty Images

AFL Women’s will celebrate indigenous culture over the next fortnight, with North Melbourne hosting Yartapuulti (Port Adelaide) on Sunday at Arden Street.

All matches will feature an indigenous round Sherrin for the first time, designed by Kaurna, Ngarrindjeri and Nurrunga woman Gabriel Stengle.

“(The round) is really special to me,” King said.

“I think it’s really important just to recognise the impact that First Nations people have had and continue to have on this country, not just in sport but in many other areas. I do look at it as such an opportunity to create conversations and bring the culture to life and celebrate it through sport which is something that brings everyone together.

“I really feel like it’s something that unites everyone to celebrate something really special.”

King will take a moment to think of Maggie on Sunday. Dad, too.

“I have that resilience from the people that had a lot of challenges before me,” she said.

“Even though I didn’t get to meet (Maggie), I think she would be really proud.

“All my family in my life – they’ve all shaped who I am so I think it’s really special to look at the whole picture of where I’m from to where I am today.”

North Melbourne v Yartapuulti, Sunday, 1.05pm, Arden Street