How Aboriginal land rights advocate Yunupingu will be remembered
Yunupingu was ‘driven by a vision’ for his people, charting the path for Aboriginal rights across the country. Here’s how he is being remembered.
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This story contains images and the name of an Aboriginal person who has died, with the permission of his family.
A “giant of the nation”, fearless leader and a visionary for Aboriginal land rights and self-determination.
Yunupingu, a senior Yolngu elder and Gumatj man died on Monday, April 3, after a long illness.
His daughter Binmila Yunupingu said her father’s “fierce leadership and total strength” for Yolngu and Aboriginal people across Australia would never be forgotten.
“Today we mourn with deep love and great sadness the passing of our dearly loved father Yunupingu,” she said.
“The holder of our sacred fire, the leader of our clan and the path-maker to our future.
“The loss to our family and community is profound.
“We are hurting, but we honour him and remember with love everything he has done for us.
“There will never be another like him.”
Binmila said her father lived his entire life on his land and died on his land, knowing “his life’s work was secure”.
“Our father was driven by a vision for the future of this nation, his people’s place in the nation and the rightful place for Aboriginal people everywhere,” she said.
Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said Yunupingu was a “visionary” and “incomparable leader”.
“Yunupingu was instrumental in the struggle for land rights and self-determination for Aboriginal people,” Ms Fyles said.
“His advocacy tangibly changed lives for the better.
“(Yunupingu) cared deeply for people and our home here in the Northern Territory.
“He believed in a better future, and he worked tirelessly to create one.
“His legacy will never be bested and it is my hope it continues for generations to come.”
When asked if the Territory government would offer Yunupingu a state funeral, Ms Fyles said she was working with his family “around the best way to honour his life, his contribution and to have that recognised into the future”.
Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro credited Yunupingu’s contribution to Australia as “extraordinary”.
“Yunupingu was a staunch advocate for the agency of his people and for a future where two cultures could live side-by-side,” she said.
“(He guided) the nation through many important processes, including negotiations for Kakadu National Park, Ranger Uranium Mine, the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and Aboriginal Land Rights.
“He will be greatly missed but never forgotten.”
Yothu Yindi Foundation chief executive Denise Bowden also paid tribute to the Gumatj leader.
“A giant of the nation whose contribution to public life spanned seven decades, he was first and foremost a leader of his people, whose welfare was his most pressing concern and responsibility,” Ms Bowden said.
“His name is synonymous with some of the nation’s most significant events – the Yirrkala Bark Petitions, the Gove Land Rights case, the Land Rights Act, the Barunga Statement, the Native Title Act and the Voice.
“He met prime minister Robert Menzies with his father in the 1960s when cabinet met to announce the Gove Bauxite Mine, and dealt personally with every prime minister since Whitlam.
“Many promises were made, none were delivered in full.
“As a sovereign man of his clan nation he was left disappointed by them all.
“In 2022 he responded to Prime Minister Albanese’s commitment to the Voice asking whether his commitment was ‘serious’.
“He was told it was. This promise has been kept.”
Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull said Australia had lost one of its “wisest leaders”.
“His unwavering commitment to Makarrata and to preserving Yolngu language culture and wisdom, a gift to our nation, will endure for generations,” he said.
Ms Bowden said although Yunupingu’s influence reached the farthest boundaries of the country, he lived his entire life “among his people” in Yirrkala and Gunyangara.
“He lived and died in the arms of his family, and they in his arms,” she said.
“He is Yolngu first and Yolngu forever.”
Northern Land Council chairman Samuel Bush-Blanasi said Yunupingu was in the “frontline of the fight for land rights”.
“Mr Yunupingu will always have a special place in the heart of the Northern Land Council,” Dr Bush-Blanasi said.
“He served as chair for almost half our existence.
“This year is our 50th anniversary. We are part of his great legacy.”
Mr Yunupingu served eight terms as NLC chairman, spanning 24 years, from 1977 to 1980 and 1983 to 2004.
Vale Yunupingu.
— Patrick Dodson (@SenatorDodson) April 3, 2023
Yunupingu’s legacy is immeasurable and will endure in the memory of all Australian people, especially the Yolngu people, for generations.
[Image approved by Yunupingu’s family] pic.twitter.com/nC0S5M1tMU
“Those days were tough – but he was tougher,” Dr Bush-Blanasi said.
“He took the fight to the streets, to Canberra and to the High Court many times.”
The Northern Land Council was closed on Monday as a mark of respect.
Uluru Statement for the Heart signatory Thomas Mayo described Yunupingu as one of the “greatest leaders this nation has ever seen”.
“With awe-inspiring dignity and an immovable connection to Country and culture, Yunupingu has positively shaped the movement for Indigenous rights and recognition forever,” Mr Mayo said.
Central Land Council chairman Matthew Palmer described Yunupingu as one of the country’s greatest Aboriginal leaders.
“Mr Yunupingu devoted his life to fighting for our land rights and our right to determine our own affairs,” Mr Palmer said.
“(He) chaired the Northern Land Council when he, my predecessor Wenten Rubuntja, and other leaders presented the prime minister with a bark painting that became famous as the Barunga Statement.”
The statement called on the commonwealth to “negotiate with us a treaty recognising our prior ownership, continued occupation and sovereignty, and affirming our human rights and freedom”.
Prime Minister Bob Hawke promised that he would work to conclude a treaty with Aboriginal Australia by 1990.
“Later this year we have an opportunity to right this wrong and take a significant step towards Mr Yunupingu’s vision,” Mr Palmer said.
“Let’s honour him by not wasting this once-in-a lifetime chance.”
It’s with a heavy heart that I acknowledge the recent passing of Yolngu leader Mr Yunupingu
— Chansey Paech MLA: Member for Gwoja (@chanseypaechMLA) April 3, 2023
A Leader keeper of songlines, of language, lore and culture. A voice that made its way to across the country, a voice that spoke such power and conviction.
Rest in Power Old Man 🖤💛â¤ï¸ pic.twitter.com/Wxcz1ISkRK
East Arnhem Regional Council has also closed its offices for two days, with flags to be flown at half mast this week.
“With deep respect we mark the passing of Yunupingu, nationally recognised and revered Indigenous Leader,” a council statement read.
“Our thoughts and hearts are with Yunupingu’s family and the Gumatj Clan.”
United States Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy said she was “greatly saddened” by Yunupingu’s passing.
“When we met at Garma Festival in Arnhem Land only days after my arrival in Australia, I was struck by the tremendous respect and love that this proud Yolngu man drew from those around him, Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike,” Ms Kennedy said.
“His leadership, service and sacrifice over decades helped Australia on its critical journey toward reconciliation.
“Yunupingu’s fire illuminated us all.
“May it be a beacon of inspiration for generations to come.”
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Originally published as How Aboriginal land rights advocate Yunupingu will be remembered
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