Burarrwanga was a Yolngu man, born in the remote homeland of Matamata in the ceremonial women's birthing area under a tree, like many babies from generations before him.

[citation needed] During the late 1970s, he moved to the desert community of Yuendumu, with his younger brother who married Felicity Robertson and became fluent in the Walpiri language and law.

George's brother and his wife had their first child, Glenda, who is a revered healer and strong advocate for the rights of community members struggling with mainstream culture.

[2] Three albums, Big Name No Blanket (1985), Go Bush (1988) and Too Much Humbug (1996), followed, including the anthemic songs "Blackfella/Whitefella" and "My Island Home", the latter of which was made famous when it was covered by Christine Anu in 1995.

In later years, Burarrwanga largely returned to traditional Aboriginal life, attending funeral and circumcision ceremonies with his father, a Gumatj clan leader.