person or book cover
From frontpiece of Legendary Tales of the Australian Aborigines (1924)
David Unaipon David Unaipon i(A6178 works by) (birth name: David Ngunaitponi)
Also writes as: Ngunaitponi
Born: Established: 28 Sep 1872 Raukkan / Narrung, Meningie - Coorong area, South East South Australia, South Australia, ; Died: Ceased: 7 Feb 1967 Tailem Bend, Murray Bridge - Tailem Bend area, Lower Murray area, Murray - Mallee area, South Australia,
Gender: Male
Heritage: Aboriginal ; Aboriginal Ngarrindjeri
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Works By

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1 Song of the Platypus i "Give me more Grubs as the water ripples.", David Unaipon , 2009 single work poetry
— Appears in: The Penguin Anthology of Australian Poetry 2009; (p. 111)
1 David Unaipon's Style of Subversion: Performativity and Becoming in 'Gool Lun Naga (Green Frog)' David Unaipon , 2008 single work criticism
— Appears in: JASAL , Special Issue 2008; (p. 77-93) 'This paper theorises Aboriginal author David Unaipon's style of subversion. Firstly, Unaipon's manner of dress is investigated as an embodied, performative Aboriginal resistance strategy that fits within a worldwide history of dandyism. Secondly, a close reading of one of Unaipon's short stories ('Gool Lun Naga (Green Frog)') reveals how his performative method of resistance is apparent not only in his dress, but in his writings as well. Such an analysis seeks to intervene in a history of criticism on Unaipon's life and writing that fails to account for the many contradictions within his life and writing. Ultimately, the failure to account for the many contradictions in Unaipon's life is seen as contributing to the colonial present (Gregory), where colonial discourses still operate to define and limit Aboriginality. Unaipon's constant struggle against such discourses is read as a "becoming-imperceptible" (Deleuze and Guattari); a style of subversion that has paved the way for many Aboriginal artists since.' (Author's abstract)
1 The Flood and its Result David Unaipon , 2001 single work prose dreaming story
— Appears in: Legendary Tales of the Australian Aborigines 2001; (p. 25-41)
1 Aboriginal Folklore David Unaipon , 2001 single work oral history
— Appears in: Legendary Tales of the Australian Aborigines 2001; (p. 4)
1 Preface David Unaipon , 2001 single work prose
— Appears in: Legendary Tales of the Australian Aborigines 2001; (p. 3)
1 y separately published work icon Australian Legends Osutoraria densetsu W. Ramsay Smith , David Unaipon , Tokyo : Oseania Shuppansha , 1985 Z900616 1985 selected work short story Indigenous story This book is an illustrated edition comprising six stories from W. Ramsay Smith's 1930 edition of Myths and Legends of the Australian Aborigines.
1 1 y separately published work icon My Life Story David Unaipon , Adelaide : Aborigines' Friends' Association , 1954 Z1663903 1954 single work autobiography

At the age of 78, David Unaipon briefly recalls his life as a young boy at wurley along the banks of the River Murray at Tailem Bend with his Mother and father, and the period of European contact. He also depicts his life at the Mission, where he attended the mission school, and the period Unaipon spent with C.B. Young at his home at Walkerville. Unaipon also talks about his acceptance of Christianity, and his need to help the aboriginal people by making their aspirations and wants known to the public. (Source: My Life Story 1951)
1 An Aboriginal Pleads for His Race David Unaipon , 1940-1949 single work prose
— Appears in: The Australian Aborigines 1940-1949; (p. 12)
1 The Aborigine's Point-Of-View David Unaipon , 1936 single work column
— Appears in: The Advertiser , 23 November 1936; (p. 18) David Unaipon's point of view to the Aborigines Bill, which sought to subsitute a board of five for the control of natives by a single Chief Protector of Aborigines in the late 1930s.
1 Rights of Aborigines: David Unaipon Speaks for His People David Unaipon , 1936 single work column
— Appears in: The Advertiser , 9 November 1936; (p. 22)
1 Health Customs of Aborigines: Mr David Unaipon's Address David Unaipon , 1936 single work column
— Appears in: The Advertiser , 24 November 1936; (p. 7)
1 The Peewee's Story David Unaipon , 1930 single work prose
— Appears in: Myths and Legends of the Australian Aborigines 1930; (p. 41-45)
1 4 y separately published work icon Myths and Legends of the Australian Aborigines Myths & Legends of the Australian Aboriginals Alice Bolingbroke Woodward (illustrator), W. Ramsay Smith , David Unaipon , London : Harrap , 1930 6080162 1930 selected work prose dreaming story

This 1930s publication describes the legends of the Australian Aborigines located in the southeast corner of Australia near the Murray River. It covers a range of narratives from the creation stories to those of witchcraft, and explanations of landmarks. (Source: Preface).
1 The Song of Hungarrda i "Bright, consuming Spirit. No power on earth so great as Thee,", Ngunaitponi , 1929 single work poetry Indigenous story
— Appears in: Native Legends 1929; (p. 14-15) Anthology of Australian Religious Poetry 1986; (p. 230-231) The New Oxford Book of Australian Verse 1986; (p. 94-95) The New Oxford Book of Australian Verse 1996; (p. 94-95) The Penguin Anthology of Australian Poetry 2009; (p. 111-113) Macquarie PEN Anthology of Australian Literature 2009; (p. 319-320)
1 Narrinyeri Saying i "Like children at play we begin Life's journey,", David Unaipon , 1929 single work poetry
— Appears in: Native Legends 1929; (p. [15]) The Penguin Anthology of Australian Poetry 2009; (p. 110-111) Macquarie PEN Anthology of Australian Literature 2009; (p. 320)
1 Pah Kowie - The Creature Cell of Life and Intelligence David Unaipon , 1929 single work short story myth/legend
— Appears in: Native Legends 1929; (p. 6) The Australian Aborigines 1940-1949;
1 Hungarrda David Unaipon , 1929 single work short story dreaming story
— Appears in: Native Legends 1929; (p. 12-14) The Australian Aborigines 1940-1949; (p. 14-16) Macquarie PEN Anthology of Australian Literature 2009; (p. 317-319)
1 1 y separately published work icon Aboriginal Legends. No. 1, Kinie Ger, the Native Cat David Unaipon , Adelaide : Hunkin, Ellis and King , 1929 Z873075 1929 single work short story Indigenous story

This short story is about the Kinie Ger (the native cat) a ruthless killer and enemy of other native creatures.
1 5 y separately published work icon Native Legends David Unaipon , Adelaide : Hunkin, Ellis and King , 1929 Z817697 1929 selected work short story Indigenous story
1 Youn Goona the Cockatoo David Unaipon , 1929 single work prose Indigenous story
— Appears in: Native Legends 1929; (p. 7-11)

This story is about the spirit cockatoo, Youn Goona who one days decides to become an earthly creature.
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