Dadda was born at Old Jigalong, a ration depot situated on the Rabbit Proof Fence before the Jigalong Mission was established. She walked around the country east of Jila Kurru with her mother, father and three brothers. Her parents were both Kartujarra. In the late 1930’s, when droving had intensified, Dadda’s family left the desert and walked in to Jigalong. There they met up with the Samson, Kelly, Jeffries, Atkins, Sammy and Kadibil families.