This father-and-son duo managed to defy the odds in Australian colonial society and became self-actualized individuals.
James & David Ngunaitponi
James Ngunaitponi is indigenous Australian who originates from the Ngarrindjeri nation. His name was originally in its most accurate Aboriginal form. He spent his life as a preacher, after being self-taught in English. He then started preaching to the Ngarrindjeri communities.
James & David Unaipon
The name Unaipon is a simplified corruption of James\’ Aboriginal name and used as a surname.
David would go on to become passionate in music, literature, science, and religion. He would eventually become an inventor, a preacher, a musician, and the first published Aboriginal author.
David Unaipon is known for inventing the mechanical sheep-shearer by taking advantage of the enigmatic science of perpetual motion.
David Unaipon appears on the fifty dollar note.
Sources
- David and James Unaipon – Ngarrindjeri Educators. UniSA. 2004.
- Woolmark Company. David Unaipon: Australia\’s Da Vinci. YouTube. 2020.