June Bird Ngale was born in 1954 at Waite River in the Northern Territory and later moved with her family to the outstation at Mulga Bore on the Utopia Homelands. Her father, Tommy Bird Mpetyane, passed away early in her life, and she came to call Lindsay Bird Mpetyane her father.

June commenced painting in 1987 and was somewhat involved in the Utopian art movement where silk batiks were introduced to the women of Utopia and in 1988 another community project titled “A Summer Project”, introduced the women of Utopia to canvas and acrylic paints. June’s mother and aunties were all heavily involved in the project which saw their artistic talent and designs flourish. June reported that all her family living at Mulga Bore at the time became involved in the projects and were painting and experimenting regularly.

The Dreamings that June has inherited, originate from her mother’s side of the family. June has received the “Awelye” or women’s ceremonial body paint designs; these are regularly associated with Dreamings of the Mountain Devil Lizard (Arnkerreth) for the Atnungkerr and Alhalkerre country. This particular Dreaming is shared amongst the Petyarre sisters