Career
Born James Ngunaitponi, he took the name James Reid in honour of the Scottish Free Church minister who baptised him. After arriving at Point McLeay from his home in Wellington, Unaipon returned to using his birth name of Ngunaitponi however, the Europeans anglicised his name to Unaipon in correspondence. On 27 July 1866 Unaipon married Nymbulda, the daughter of Pullum (King Peter) who was the Rupelle (misinterpreted as "King" by colonists) of the Ramindjeri.
The Rev George Taplin assumed that the position of Rupelle was hereditary and widely promoted Nymbulda as a queen, believing that a missionary related to royalty would be more influential in converting the Ngarrindjeri.
The Rupelle was in fact elected by the Indigenous Tendi (government) and conferred no additional status to his family.