Dean Munuggullumurr Yibarbuk was born in 1955 near the Tomkinson River, in Central Arnhem Land. Two years after Dean’s birth the Government established a settlement nearby at Maningrida which today is a regional centre for small indigenous communities in the region.

Dean’s language is Gurrgoni. He has been prominent in development and conservation issues. He was the driving force behind the development of the Djelk rangers at Maningrida and has been a chairman of both Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation and the Demed Aboriginal Corporation.

He is currently Secretary of Warddeken Land Management Limited, a not-for-profit established to support a movement back to country linked to critical conservation issues. He has travelled widely in Australia and overseas to speak on fire management and other conservation issues.