To honor the memory of Yunupingu, an advocate for Aboriginal land rights, hundreds of mourners have traveled to the remote island of Gunyangara in the Northern Territory.
The following tale contains photos of persons who have passed away, readers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent are hereby warned.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney, and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton are among the many political figures and celebrities who will be present at the public memorial.
Father, singer, former Australian of the Year, and political trailblazer Yunupingu died on his land in Arnhem Land in April at the age of 74. He fought for the rights of First Nation Australians.
The public commemoration, which marked just one part of a multiday ritual presided over by Yolngu clan leaders, started at 1:30 p.m. local time.
In paying tribute alongside the Prime Minister, Mr. Dutton stated that Yunupingu was a “pioneer who changed our nation.”
He has been rightfully referred to as “a giant,” “a titan,” and “a national treasure,” the speaker remarked.
Outsiders rarely witness funeral ceremonies in the Indigenous communities of the Northern Territory.
On May 24, a private ceremony for family members only will be held for Yunupingu’s burial.
According to his eldest daughter, he will be remembered for his “fierce leadership” and emancipation of Aboriginal people in all of Australia.
“Our family and community have suffered a profound loss,” she added.
Even though we are in pain, we honor him and cherish all that he has done for us.
Over the years, Yunupingu has been consulted for guidance on Aboriginal matters in the boardrooms of prime ministers on both sides, from negotiating landmark mining accords to influencing changes in land rights.
Born in 1948 into a prominent family, he appeared to be destined for leadership from an early age and maintained it right up until the end of his life.
He received the Australian of the Year award in 1978, and in 2019 he was chosen to provide advice on the Voice to Parliament.
He last spoke with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in 2022 at the Garma festival.
For 25 years, Yunupingu presided over the influential Northern Land Council.
Yunupingu was described as “a man of great vision” by the council’s current chair, Dr. Samuel Bush-Blanasi, who was unable to attend the tribute.
“The Northern Land Council owes Yunupingu a debt that can never be repaid,” he declared.
It is a “great time of sadness,” according to deputy chief minister Nicole Manison, but it is also a time to consider Yunupingu’s enormous contributions to making the world more equitable.
The profound pain we experience in the Northern Territory over this loss of someone who had such a significant effect is difficult to express, she added.
But it’s also a chance to seriously consider what we should discover about how to guarantee a better future for the members of our first nations moving forward.
