Ngayuku Ngura - My country

Nyunmiti Burton was born in Mpartnwe (Alice Springs) and grew up in Pukatja (Ernabella) where she attended primary school. After completing her education at Yirara College in Mparntwe, Nyunmiti returned to Pukatja and began creating batiks through Ernabella Arts.

In 1980, Nyunmiti married and relocated to Amata where she worked as an Aboriginal Education Worker, before training as a teacher and teaching Pitjantjatjara in Adelaide. Nyunmiti is the Vice Chairperson of NPY Women's council and is very respected within her community. Nyunmiti recently returned to the arts, painting through Tjala Arts in Amata.

Tjala Arts was established in 1999 (originally as Minymaku Arts) and provides the opportunity for Anangu (Pitjantjatjara people) to develop skills in fine art and regional production. The art centre also plays a significant role in the well-being of the community and maintaining culture and law.

Nyunmiti shares expressions of her country and reflects on the knowledge passed down to her from her father, mother and grandfather when she paints. Whilst remembering the past - she also considers the future. As a teacher and artist she is aware that the actions of current generations inform the decisions and opportunities for the next younger generation of Pitjantjatjarra people.