Galarrwuy Yunupingu

Galarrwuy Yunupingu AM (30 June 1948 – 3 April 2023), also known as James Galarrwuy Yunupingu and Dr Yunupingu, was an Indigenous leader in the Australian community, and certainly in his homelands. He was involved in Indigenous land rights throughout his career. He was a Yolngu man of the Gumatj clan, from Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory. He was the 1978 Australian of the Year.

Galarrwuy Yunupingu

AM
Yunupingu in 1977
Born(1948-06-30)30 June 1948
Gunyangura, Melville Bay, Northern Territory, Australia
Died3 April 2023(2023-04-03) (aged 74)
Known forIndigenous rights activism, leadership, art, music
MovementAboriginal land rights in Australia
Parent
Relatives
Awards

Early life and education

Galarrwuy Yunupingu was born at Melville Bay, near Yirrkala, on 30 June 1948, and was a member of the Gumatj clan of the Yolngu people.[1] His father, Mungurrawuy Yunupingu, was a well-known artist and leader of his clan; siblings included lead singer of Yothu Yindi, his brother Mandawuy Yunupingu; and several artist sisters, including Nyapanyapa Yunupingu and Nancy Gaymala Yunupingu.[2][3]

He attended the Mission School at Yirrkala in his formative years, and moved to Brisbane to study at the Methodist Bible College for two years, returning to Gove in 1967.[1]

Career

Land rights
Further information: Indigenous land rights in Australia and Native title in Australia

In the early 1960s, with his father, Gumatj clan leader Mungurrawuy, Yunupingu entered the struggle for land rights and helped draw up the Yirrkala bark petitions,[4] which his father helped to paint.[5] He came to national attention in the late 1960s for his role in the landmark, but unsuccessful Gove Land Rights Case. This legal action was the first by Indigenous Australians to challenge mining companies' rights to exploit traditional lands. He became a prominent leader and strong voice on behalf of Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory and Australia, gaining the respect and admiration from many.[6]

Yunupingu speaking at opening of Ranger Uranium Mine

In 1975, Yunupingu joined the Northern Land Council (NLC), the authority appointed under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1976 to represent traditional Aboriginal landowners and Aboriginal people. He was chairman of the NLC from 1977 to 1980, an executive member until 1983 when he was re-elected as chairman. He has led a number of negotiations with mining and government bodies.[1][4]

In 1988, Yunupingu and Wenten Rubuntja presented prime minister Bob Hawke, who was on a visit to the Northern Territory as part of Bicentennial celebrations, with a statement of Aboriginal political objectives,[7] painted on a 1.2-square-metre (13 sq ft) sheet of composite wood. This became known as the "Barunga Statement".[8] Hawke responded by saying that he wished to conclude a treaty between Aboriginal and other Australians by 1990.[9] In June 1991 the Aboriginal band, Yothu Yindi, whose lead singer was Yunupingu's younger brother Mandawuy Yunupingu, wrote and released the hit song "Treaty" to commemorate the Barunga statement. The brothers and the band wanted to highlight the lack of progress on the treaty between Aboriginal peoples and the federal government.[10]

As chair of the NLC, Yunupingu led the Gagudju people in negotiations with mining and government bodies. Not opposed to mining in principle, Yunupingu saw it as a way for Aboriginal people to escape the welfare trap if it is conducted on the traditional owners' terms. These include a fair distribution of the economic benefits and respect for the land and specific sacred sites. He said: "We will continue to fight for the right to make our own decisions about our own land".[1]

Later career

In October 2004, Yunupingu resigned from his position as chair of the NLC after 23 years in the role and around 28 as a member of the council.[11] In June 2005 The Weekend Australian, based on information provided by his son and other relatives, reported that there was some discontent among the Yunupingu family and other community members about the distribution of mining royalties paid to the Gumatj Association.[12]

In 2007 Yunupingu spoke about the need for action in reducing Indigenous poverty. In reference to the Howard government's Northern Territory National Emergency Response, known as "The Intervention", he said "The intervention was an incomplete process about which he would reserve his judgement until he knew what was working and what wasn't". In 2009 he spoke out against the inability of the government to provide adequate housing.[13][14]

As of early 2009, he continued to live near Yirrkala, fulfilling his role as a senior ceremonial leader and community elder. He still held numerous positions on committees and organisations where he was able to share his wide experience with other Australians and promote the aspirations of his people.[15]

Yunupingu was a member of the Referendum Council set up in 2015, which led to the Uluru Statement from the Heart in 2017.[5] In November 2019, it was announced that Yunupingu would be one of 20 members of the Senior Advisory Group to help co-design the Indigenous voice to government set up by Ken Wyatt, the Minister for Indigenous Australians. The Group is co-chaired by Wyatt, Marcia Langton and Tom Calma.[16][17]

Music

Yunupingu loved music and helped to guide his brother's band, Yothu Yindi, sometimes singing traditional elements of the band's songs. He also painted their album covers.[18]

In the early 1970s, Yunupingu sang a song written by Ted Egan, called "Gurindji Blues", about the struggles of the land rights movement in the NT at the time.[18] Released on RCA Victor in 1971, the single features Vincent Lingiari of Gurindji strike fame, who introduces the recording in Gurindji, followed by a translation into English. Yunupingu also sings on the B side of the record.[19][20][21]

Health and death

In January 2010 he spent time in hospital after collapsing in a bank in Nhulunbuy.[22] In late 2016, he had a kidney transplant.[23]

Yunupingu died in the Northern Territory on 3 April 2023, at age 74, after a long illness.[6][24] The Yothu Yindi Foundation described him as "a giant of the nation".[25]

He was survived by two of his four wives, 12 children, including daughter Binmila, and many grand- and great-grandchildren.[18] A statement signed by Binmila announcing his death, along with a recording of Yunupingu leading traditional song, was posted on the Yothu Yindi Foundation website, saying that ceremonies would be conducted in North Eastern Arnhem Land in coming weeks. It requested that only the name Yunupingu be used to refer to him, and only the images provided should be used. The statement included the words:[26]

We remember him for his fierce leadership, and total strength for Yolŋu and for Aboriginal people throughout Australia. He lived by our laws always. Yunupiŋu lived his entire life on his land, surrounded by the sound of bilma (clapsticks), yidaki (didgeridoo) and the manikay (sacred song) and dhulang (sacred designs) of our people. 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.

Recognition
Yunupingu in 1978

In 1978 Yunupingu was named Australian of the Year for his negotiations on the Ranger uranium mine agreement.[6] He said the award 'would help him to shake off the image of ratbag and radical' and would give him "greater strength as an individual and as a leader". He also said it was a recognition for Aboriginal people as "the indigenous people of this country who must share in its future".[27]

In the Australia Day Honours in 1985, James Galarrwuy Yunupingu was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his services to the Aboriginal community.[28][4]

In 1998 Yunupingu was added to the list of 100 "Australian Living National Treasures" selected by the National Trust of Australia[29] as leaders in society "considered to have a great influence over our environment because of the standards and examples they set".[30][31]

In 2015, at the Garma Festival, he was honoured by the University of Melbourne with an Honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D.). In a statement, Professor Margaret Sheil, Provost at the University of Melbourne, said the Honorary Doctor of Laws award to Yunupingu was to recognise and celebrate the significance of his work for Indigenous rights.[32]

Yunupingu was one of three Indigenous Australians, along with Tom Calma and Lowitja O'Donoghue, honoured by Australia Post in the 2017 Legends Commemorative Stamp "Indigenous leaders" series to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1967 referendum.[33]

See also

References
  1. "Inside the NLC – Council Members – Galarrwuy Yunupingu, AM". Northern Land Council. Archived from the original on 27 October 2009. Retrieved 25 January 2010.
  2. Cubillo, Franchesca. "Nyapanyapa Yunupingu". unDISCLOSED: 2nd National Indigenous Art Triennial. National Gallery of Australia. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  3. Russell-Cook, Myles. "Bark Ladies: Eleven Artists from Yirrkala". NGV. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  4. Allam, Lorena (2 April 2023). "Yunupingu, Yolŋu leader and campaigner for Indigenous rights, dies aged 74". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  5. "Galarrwuy Yunupingu AM". Referendum Council. 2 January 2019. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  6. Garrick, Matt; Gibson, Jano (3 April 2023). "Trailblazing Aboriginal land rights leader Yunupingu dies in Arnhem Land, aged 74". ABC News. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  7. Howie-Willis, Ian (2001). "Barunga Statement". The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS). Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 4 November 2008.
  8. "Message 'very fitting' last act for Hawke". The Canberra Times. Vol. 66, no. 20, 706. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 21 December 1991. p. 2. Retrieved 10 August 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. "Aboriginal plea on 'payback' painting". The Canberra Times. Vol. 64, no. 19, 751. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 5 November 1989. p. 1. Retrieved 10 August 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. "George Negus Tonight Profiles - Transcripts - Mandawuy Yunupingu". Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). 8 July 2004. Archived from the original on 6 June 2008. Retrieved 6 November 2008.
  11. "Native Title Act 1993 Native title representative bodies Reports Northern Land Council 2004-05". Parliament of Australia. 24 September 2005. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  12. Sexton, Jennifer (11 June 2005). "The Australian: Royalties divide Yunupingu family". The Koori History Project. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  13. Waldon, Steve (27 October 2007). "Yunupingu returns to the fray, keen to get results, not symbols". The Age. Retrieved 25 January 2010.
  14. Robinson, Natasha (12 August 2009). "Yunupingu loses faith in intervention". The Australian. Retrieved 25 January 2010.
  15. Clayfield, Matthew (2 January 2009). "Galarrwuy Yunupingu's radical voice for action". The Australian. Retrieved 25 January 2010.
  16. "Voice Co-Design Senior Advisory Group". Ministers Media Centre. 8 November 2019. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  17. Remeikis, Amy (8 November 2019). "Chris Kenny added to group working on Indigenous voice to parliament". the Guardian. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  18. Garrick, Matt (2 April 2023). "A political warrior who walked tall in two worlds — how Yunupingu opened Australia's eyes". ABC News (Australia). Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  19. Singley, Blake (10 August 2016). "Song for the Gurindji". Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies. Archived from the original on 30 April 2020.
  20. "'Gurindji Blues'". National Museum of Australia. 26 March 2020. Archived from the original on 29 May 2022.
  21. Attwood, Bain (22 July 2020). The Struggle for Aboriginal Rights: A documentary history. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-000-24817-3.
  22. "Galarrwuy recovering". NT News. 25 January 2010. Retrieved 25 January 2010.
  23. Lawton, Paul (11 January 2018). "Not all doctors agree my patient deserved his kidney transplant. They're wrong". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
  24. Latimore, Jack (3 April 2023). "A giant of the nation': Indigenous leader Yunupingu dies, aged 74". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  25. Turnbull, Tiffanie (3 April 2023). "Aboriginal 'giant of a nation' Yunupingu dies aged 74". BBC News. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  26. "Vale Yunupiŋu" (text + audio). Yothu Yindi Foundation. 30 June 1948. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  27. "Australian of the Year Awards". Australian of the Year. 16 July 2011. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  28. "James Galarrwuy Yunupingu". Australian Honours Search Facility. Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (Australia).
  29. "Australian National Living Treasure". AustLit. 2014. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  30. "National Living Treasures". National Trust. 19 September 2014. Archived from the original on 19 September 2014. The original 100 National Living Treasures were chosen by a national vote in 1997. This list was updated in 2004 and most recently in 2012.
  31. "Australia's National Living Treasures, they surprised us too". Mamamia. 5 March 2012. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  32. Garma Festival 2015: Galarrwuy Yunupingu awarded honorary doctorate by University of Melbourne, ABC News Online, 1 August 2015
  33. "Australian Legends 2017: Indigenous Leaders". Australia Post Collectables. 29 May 2017. Retrieved 31 January 2020.

Further reading
  • Lewis, Wendy (2010). Australians of the Year. Pier 9 Press. ISBN 978-1-74196-809-5.
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