Ceremonial leader B Yunupingu dies after alleged violent attack

ABC NEWS (Australia)

A warning to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers, this story contains footage of Mr B Yunupingu used with the permission of his family. A ‘gentle soul’ who never stopped fighting for the rights of his Yolnhu people in North East Ernhem Land. That is how loved ones are paying tribute to prominent Gumatj clan elder Mr B Yunupingu who has died aged 70 after falling victim to an alleged violent attack in his home community.

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00:00A leader of quiet power and dignity, Mr B Yunupingu is being remembered as a man of

00:08cultural strength, fiercely devoted to his home country and family.

00:13Mr Yunupingu's passing will be indeed a big impact for that North East Arnhem region but

00:19of course for the Northern Territory.

00:21The Yungul elder died overnight in Royal Darwin Hospital surrounded by dozens of family members

00:26and clan leaders who made the journey from North East Arnhem land.

00:31He'd been in intensive care since being allegedly assaulted in his home last month.

00:37I think the region will be in mourning for quite some time.

00:40A fighter to the end.

00:42In March the Gumach clan elder was at the forefront of a historic land rights win against the Commonwealth

00:48in the High Court alongside his brother Jawa who today paid tribute describing his brother

00:54as a strong and decent man who walked tall in two worlds.

00:58He starts his journey now to be reunited with our fathers, mothers and kin.

01:04He will be received by our ancestors with great respect and honour.

01:08He was also a ceremonial leader at Arnhem Land's annual Garma Festival and a board member of

01:14the Yothi Indi Foundation with its chief executive describing him as a softly spoken family man

01:20with his eye on future generations.

01:24He had great love for his grandchildren.

01:26They meant the world to him.

01:28They were the reason he was so passionate about education and schooling.

01:32The strength of Mr Yutupingu in particularly the larger, more widely known Australian forums

01:39like the Garma Festival will be felt overwhelmingly.

01:42A 42-year-old relative has been charged over the alleged attack and will face court next month

01:49as another territory community reels from tragedy and the bruising loss of one of its pillars.

01:54The раз you are now is born and the dragon.

01:59You are the only one of the most important things.

02:04You are the only one of the most important things.

02:09Where are you?

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