Trailblazing Rirratjiŋu clan leader and environmentalist M Marika dies in north-east Arnhem Land

ABC NEWS (Australia)

A warning to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers, this story contains the name and image of a person who has died, used with the permission of his family. Trailblazing Rirratjiŋu clan elder M Marika has died in north-east Arnhem Land at the age of 64. He dedicated his life to protecting the natural environment, his people and their culture. Mr Marika's clan group says his legacy endures through the generations he helped inspire.

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00:00In times of hardship, Mr M Marika drew strength from the rocks in the sea surrounding his

00:08North East Arnhem Land home. Selected by his clan, he was one of four founding rangers

00:13of the Dimiru Aboriginal Corporation, where he brought Yungal knowledge to care for country.

00:19Over more than 30 years, he rose through the ranks to lead the organisation and developed

00:24a program passing on Yungal tradition to the next generation.

00:28There's probably well over 50 Yungal now caring for their country in the way that they choose,

00:36and Mr Marika's contribution to that has been enormous.

00:42Descended from a long line of Riddigingal clan leaders, his skill as a respected statesman

00:47was on display when he hosted the future King Charles. A Christian man and a senior cultural

00:54authority, he also served as a leader for his clan, including a period as chairperson of

00:59the Riddigingal Aboriginal Corporation. He was a guardian of land conservation, understanding

01:05deeply that caring for country is caring for culture, identity and spirit. He was equally

01:12devoted to the social wellbeing of his community, working tirelessly to ensure that Yungal people

01:18had opportunities, support and a strong sense of belonging and purpose. In recent years,

01:24he experienced great tragedy, losing both his son and grandson, but he remained committed

01:30to training his surviving sons for leadership to take up the mantle once he was gone. He was

01:35a cultural authority, community guide and voice of wisdom, deeply trusted across East Arnhem Land.

01:43His legacy will live on in the generations he helped inspire. Senior cultural leaders of

01:48each of the Yungal clans have paid their respects to Mr Marika's family and the Riddigingal clan

01:54as Yungal enters sorry business. He died in North East Arnhem Land aged 64.

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