Pilawuk White was one of the 'stolen generation', removed from her family at Daly River when she was three years old, and sent to Adelaide where she grew up. The story of her childhood is told in Pilawuk : when I was young by Janeen Brian.

Pilawuk comes from the Malfyin country. Her language is Ngangiwumerrii and her dreaming is Black Bream. She has worked as a teacher and in education in South Australia.