The Story Behind the NITA Uniform

Inawantji (Ina) Scales is a Pitjantjatjara speaker from Pipalyatjara in the APY Lands, South Australia. She works as a translator, interpreter, and language educator and has delivered cultural awareness training through her consultancy since 2007.

Ina has contributed extensively to leadership and community development initiatives, including helping to create the Emerging Leadership Program through Empowered Communities. She is a board member of the NPY Women’s Council and a Director and Kulintja Kutju of the tri-state Empowered Communities Board.

She currently works as Manager of Indigenous Engagement at Voyages in Yulara, where she supports Anangu people into employment and assists young people undertaking training through the National Indigenous Training Academy (NITA), including Certificate III programs.

Ina comes from a strong lineage of Pitjantjatjara artists. Her grandmother, Kuntjiriya Mick, helped establish Irrunytju Arts, and her mother, Josephine Mick, is an artist and board member of Ananguku Arts. Her younger sister, Sally Scales, is also an emerging and recognised artist.

Ina began painting at the age of eight under the guidance of her mother, depicting Tjukurpa from her grandfather’s Country, Kunyjtjanu and Aralya. Visiting these sites, listening to stories, and experiencing inma have profoundly shaped her connection to painting, which remains both grounding and meditative.

April Barry is a Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara woman born in Mparntwe on Arrernte Country. She was raised between Kaltjiti Community on the APY Lands and Mparntwe, grounded in strong cultural knowledge, language, and family. A fluent Pitjantjatjara speaker, April works as an interpreter for her community, maintaining and strengthening language across generations.

Her artistic journey is deeply rooted in family. She grew up surrounded by accomplished Anangu artists, including her mother, Joanne Ken, and her aunty, Carolanne Ken, observing and absorbing the distinctive brushwork and dot painting techniques that characterise their practice.

The Ken family, with connections extending from Kaltjiti to Amata Community, are widely recognised for their collaborative works and have achieved national and international acclaim. Immersed in this rich artistic environment, April developed her own practice grounded in cultural continuity and personal expression.

Now living in Yulara on Anangu Country, April continues to honour her heritage through painting. Her work reflects lived experience, cultural identity, and the enduring strength of Anangu women and family.

Trevor Burton is an Anangu man from Amata Community. His father is from Amata and his mother’s Country is Yalata. He attended school to Year 9 before continuing his learning through vocational training.

Trevor completed a Certificate III in Hospitality at the National Indigenous Training Academy (NITA) in Yulara and is currently undertaking a second qualification, Certificate III in Tourism. During his Hospitality training, he had the opportunity to collaborate on a painting created for a new uniform design. Working alongside colleagues Agnes and Akiah, together with Anangu staff members Ina and April, the group produced the artwork Journey to Uluru. The painting is now used by NITA and staff as part of the uniform design, representing culture, identity, and shared journey.

Trevor is committed to building his skills, gaining experience, and creating opportunities for his future. He remains deeply focused on practising culture, staying strong in Tjukurpa, and continuing to learn Western ways to support his family and community.

On his grandmother’s side, his great-grandfather Malpriny from Ukiya is connected to Mala Tjukurpa. On his grandfather’s side, his great-grandfather from Malara is connected to Wanampi Tjukurpa. Both Tjukurpa are connected to Uluru, reinforcing his strong connection to place.

Agnes May is from Titjikala and is a proud Pitjantjatjara, Yankunytjatjara, Kokatha, and Wirangu woman. She completed Year 12 at St Philip’s College before undertaking a Certificate III in Hospitality through the National Indigenous Training Academy (NITA).

While studying with NITA, Agnes lived in residence for a year and specialised in front office reception. During this time, she was recognised for her commitment and hard work and was awarded Trainee of the Year. Following graduation, she worked at the Gallery of Central Australia (GOCA), where she engaged with tourists, speaking about the artworks and sharing the Tjukurpa stories connected to them.

Agnes later joined the Indigenous Engagement Team, where she now works as an Anangu Engagement Coordinator. In her role, she supports Anangu children from the tri-state region to participate in work exposure opportunities and assists young women and young wati to access work experience and employment pathways.

Her family connections include the May and Watson families from Yalata, the Miller and Saunders families from Ceduna, the Summerfield and Wilyuka families from Titjikala, and the Mick family from Pipalyatjara. Her Tjukurpa comes from where she grew up, around Aralya and Kuntjanu, and includes Wanampi (water serpent), Tjakura (great desert skink), and Walawuru (eagle).

Akiyah Macumba Iselin-Blumberg is a Yankunytjatjara and Pitjantjatjara woman from Amata Community in the APY Lands. She left Amata at the age of sixteen to move to Adelaide to finish school, living at Wiltja Residence and attending Avenues College, where she completed her SACE in 2023.

Akiyah’s family background reflects a strong and diverse heritage. Her mother is from the Oodnadatta area and her father is from Amata. Both of her grandmothers are Anangu women (one from the APY Lands and one from Oodnadatta) while her grandfathers were European and German men. This blend of cultures forms an important part of her identity.

In 2024, Akiyah began a traineeship at the National Indigenous Training Academy (NITA) in Yulara, where she lived in residence for a year and worked in front office reception at Desert Gardens Hotel. The experience contributed significantly to her personal growth, confidence, and skill development, while also creating strong personal connections.

Her artistic lineage is carried through her great-grandmother, Wawiriya Burton, a well-known dot painting artist. Painting Journey to Uluru marked a meaningful cultural experience, strengthening her connection to painting and family.

Alongside her creative interests, Akiyah has a strong passion for cooking and hospitality and hopes to pursue opportunities in kitchens, cafés, or food-focused roles in the future.