Mona Ngitji Ngitji was born in Antikirinya country on the Hamilton cattle station, to an Aboriginal mother and an Irish father. Her parents used to hide her in the bush when police came looking for part-Aboriginal children to take away to Adelaide. When she began her schooling at Oodnadatta in 1943 she spoke no English, and had to learn English at School. Her school education consisted of two years in Grade 1, two years in Grade 2, one year in Grade 3 and two years in Grade 4 before doing two weeks in Grade 5 and leaving school. By 1991 she held an Associate Diploma in Aboriginal Studies at the Underdale Campus of the University of South Australia.
Ngitji Ngitji spoke Antikirinya (her mother's language), Yankunytjara and Pitjantjatjara. She taught Pitjantjatjara at Underdale from 1984, and in that year she assisted production of a Pitjantjatjara teaching kit, Wangka Kulintjaku. She was also employed as a translator of Aboriginal languages.
Ngitji Ngitji wrote poetry both in Antikirinya and English. As well as the published work listed here, she has a poem 'Aboriginal Woman's Lament' published on the reverse side of a card produced by Sr. Michelle Madigan at Coober Pedy, featuring art by Kunyi McInerney.
She was the first Aboriginal Artist in Residence with Carclew Youth Performing Arts Centre, performing in numerous schools teaching children about Anangu culture, storytelling, song and dance. In April 2011 she was awarded the Flinders University Honorary Degree of Letters, honoris causa for her lifelong contribution as a cultural education, oral linguist, interpreter and advocate for Indigenous rights.
