‘National treasure’: Tributes flow for Indigenous clan leader Yunupingu who died aged 74 in Arnhem Land

The family of Indigenous rights activist Yunupingu have paid tribute to his “fierce leadership” after the trailblazing clan leader died aged 74.

Heartfelt tributes all across the country have poured in for trailblazing Aboriginal rights campaigner Yunupingu, following his death aged at age 74.

The proud Yolŋu man, who was the Gumutj clan leader, was a long term chairman of the Northern Land Council and in 1978 was awarded Australian of the Year for work regarding the Kakadu National Park and the Ranger uranium mine.

He died in north East Arnhem Land after a long illness.

Born in 1948 on an island in the Northern Territory’s Melville Bay, Gunyangara, Yunupingu shot to prominence by taking part in the ultimately unsuccessful Gove land rights case, which concerned the acquisition of land on the Gove Peninsula which became the site of the Nabalco mine.

Yunupingu, a trailblazing Aboriginal rights activist, has died after a long illness aged 74. Picture: Peter Eve, Yothu Yindi Foundation

He also drafted the Yirrkala Bark Petition, which in 1963 was sent to the national parliament asserting the Yolŋu People’s ownership of the land.

In a family statement, his daughter Binmila Yunupingu said her father would be remembered for “his fierce leadership, and total strength for Yolŋu and for Aboriginal people throughout Australia”.

“He lived by our laws always. Yunupingu lived his entire life on his land, surrounded by the sound of the bilma (clapsticks), yidaki (didgeridoo) and the manikay (sacred song) and dhulang (sacred designs) of our people,” she said.

“He was born on our land, he lived all his life on our land, and he died on our land secure in the knowledge that 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.

“There will never be another like him.”

Yunupingu was awarded an Order of Australia medal in 1985, and in 2015 received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Melbourne – the institution’s highest academic honour.

He was the elder brother of Yothu Yindi front man Mandawuy Yunupingu, who died in 2013, and is survived by a large family that includes 12 children.

Yunupingu was also chair of the Gumatj Corporation and the Yothu Yindi Foundation.

He also established the Garma festival.

Yunupingu with Anthony Albanese at the Garma Festival in 2022. (Photo by Tamati Smith/Getty Images)

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to Yunupingu on Monday, saying the country had lost a “national treasure.”

“Yunupingu walked in two worlds with authority, power and grace, and he worked to make them whole — together,” the Prime Minister said in a statement.

“What he could see was not the reinvention of Australia, but the realisation of a greater one,” Mr Albanese said.

He said Yunupingu was a “leader” and a “statesman,” and a “remarkable member of a remarkable family.”

Yunupingu was a member of the referendum working group, reminding Australians in his final months that “the future is our responsibility”, and that we all have a responsibility to show leadership on “reconciliation, recognition, and the referendum”.

Yunupingu with Bob Hawke at Garma in 2014. Picture: Peter Eve

Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney, and Northern Territory Labor members Malarndirri McCarthy and Marion Scymgour in a joint statement said Yunupingu had gifted all Australians with a life of truth-telling, and a passionate belief in the country.

“We, as a nation, can gift to him a successful referendum later this year,” the trio said.

Nationals leader David Littleproud acknowledged the “titan’s” legacy on reconciliation, but stood by the party’s decision not to support the voice.

Indigenous leader Yunupingu with daughter Binmila Yunupingu at Garma 2018. Picture: Melanie Faith Dove

“He has added so much to Australian culture, particularly for Indigenous Australians. It’s what makes our great country even greater to have had titans of Australian society contribute so much. And we should remember the contribution he’s made,” Mr Littleproud told Sky News.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton said Yunupingu’s passing would reverberate across the nation, describing him as “not just a great Indigenous Australia, but one of our greatest Australians”.

“His courage and commitment throughout his life changed our nation and inspired many,” he said in a statement.

Opposition spokesperson for Indigenous Australians, Julian Leeser said Yunupingu was “a great moral voice to our country”.

“(He) was one of the greatest Indigenous leaders modern Australia has produced,” he said in a statement.

“May the memory of Yunupingu be a blessing.”

Originally published as ‘National treasure’: Tributes flow for Indigenous clan leader Yunupingu who died aged 74 in Arnhem Land