"My journey started over 30 years ago, walking alongside and sharing knowledge with some of Australia's first Aboriginal rangers. A lot of work, time and energy has been put into these ranger groups, as well as research, and I can say I am proud of the journey we have all been on." - Dr Dean Yibarbuk, Co-Chair KKT
March 26th, 2025
Warddeken Land Management Limited
A couple of weeks ago, Warddeken Land Management Limited's Chair and the Karrkad Kanjdji Trust's Co-Chair, Dean Munuggullumurr Yibarbuk, was recognised with a Doctorate of Letters by Charles Darwin University. Dean has dedicated his life to reinstating traditional land management practices across West Arnhem Land and supporting Bininj to live and work on their homelands through Indigenous ranger programs.
Dean was at the forefront of the establishment of both Warddeken and KKT, alongside other Elders and community leaders who envisioned and then created the organisations now having such a profound and transformative impact on the Arnhem Land region. Dean is also currently the Co-Chair of the Indigenous Carbon Industry Network(ICIN): an organisation promoting and facilitating an active, innovative and Indigenous-led carbon industry.
Dean Yibarbuk with family and community members
His leadership has resulted in the widespread reintroduction of traditional fire management and the establishment of the Savanna Fire Management Methodology, which not only recognises the hundreds of thousands of tonnes of CO2 abated each year through planned burning, but also generates meaningful and sustainable income for the Aboriginal ranger groups and land organisations performing this critical climate work.
"Receiving this [Honorary Doctorate] on Country offers an opportunity for my community to witness my footprints and to encourage more people to find ways for economic growth through traditional methods of land management and care. These [carbon] methods are important, and we need to keep showcasing that they are contributing to the biodiversity of the world."
More recently, a long-held ambition of Dean's was at last realised through the establishment of the Bidwern Butj Uni - an adult training and professional development initiative, jointly owned by Warddeken and Mimal Land Management, and co-funded by KKT. For decades, Dean advocated for this kind of on-Country institution that recognises Bininj knowledge and offers two-way learning opportunities for rangers and others living on Country to further their skills. It is because of the strength and clarity of his vision that this dream is now a reality.
Dean Yibarbuk with Warddeken CEO, Adam Nitschke, and KKT Co-Chair, Justin Punch
So much more could be said about such an esteemed, pioneering leader, but for now, perhaps all that is left to say is: Congratulations, Dr Yibarbuk!
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