Yaritji Connelly was born in 1946 in the bush at Malara Rockhole, the place of Wanampi Tjurkurpa (Watersnake Creation Story). Her skin group was Pitjantatjara. As a young girl she walked to Warburton mission in Western Australia where she spent some time at school. She was a highly respected Cultural woman and an active member of inma (ceremony).Yaritji was also a member of the Tjanpi Desert Weavers project since basket-making skills were first introduced by Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunyjatjara (NPY) Womens' Council in 1995. She was among the first weavers to utilise coloured raffia for binding grass coils and was well known for producing large baskets of exceptionally fine quality. Yaritji was one of the founding Directors of Ninuku Arts Centre at Kalka and had been instrumental in its success and strong governance. Sadly, she passed away in 2013.