Galarrwuy Yunupingu (1948-) is a leader in the Australian Indigenous community, he has been involved in the fight for Land Rights throughout his career. Born near Yirrkala in the Northern Territory, Yunupingu is one of the Gumatj clan of the Yolngu people.

Galarrwuy Yunupingu came to national attention in the late 1960's for his role in the landmark, but unsuccessful Grove Land Rights Case . The Yirrkala legal action was the first by Indigenous Australians to challange mining companies' rights to exploit traditional lands.

In 1975 he joined the Northern Land Council (NLC), the authority appointed under the Aboriginal Land Rights (NT) Act 1976 to represent traditional Aboriginal landowners and Aboriginal people the Northern Territory. He was chairman of the NLC from 1977-1980, an executive member until 1983 when he was reelected as chariman, and has remained in that position to date (2004). He has led a number of negotiations with mining and government bodies.

We will continue to fight for the right to make our own decisions about our own land. --Galarrwuy Yunupingu

Galarrwuy Yunupingu was awarded the Honour of Australian of the Year in 1975 for his negotiatiions on the Ranger uranium mine agreement. He was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his services to the Aboriginal community in 1985 for his services to the Aboriginal community. Galarrwuy Yunupingu is one of 100 "Australian Living National Treasures" selected by the National Trust as leaders in society "considered to have a great influence over our environment because of the standards and examples they set".