Wallace was born near Ltyentye Apurte, a remote area of Central Australia. She is senior Eastern Arrernte speaker. Her family kept her away from stations and missions to prevent her removal under the Aboriginals Ordinance 1918 Act. When she was 13, her family was forced to move to Santa Teresa Mission, now Ltyentye Apurte Community. This move was caused by severe drought and the interruption of traditional hunting and food gathering by encroaching station activities.
