The former lead singer of indigenous band Yothu Yindi has died at his home in the Northern Territory.
Mr Yunupingu* died at home in Yirrkala, Eastern Arnhem Land.
He reached people in a way that only music can.
Arts Minister, Tony Burke
The singer, 56, was named Australian of the Year in 1992 for his role in building bridges of understanding between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. His older brother, Galarrwuy, also won the award in 1978.
But Mr Yunupingu still faced racial challenges even as late as last year when a taxi driver in St Kilda, Melbourne, refused him a ride on the basis of the colour of his skin, according to his managers at the time.
Yothu Yindi was perhaps best known for the hit song
Treaty, written in response to the Hawke government breaking a treaty with indigenous people.
Last December, Mr Yunupingu was taken to hospital after collapsing at home. He had been fighting end-stage renal disease and had been undergoing dialysis.
A relative of Mr Yunupingu, who did not wish to be identified, confirmed his death on Sunday night at his home, near Nhulunbuy.
Mr Yunupingu was a Yolngu man and a well-known identity in Arnhem Land.
He became the lead singer in Yothu Yindi, which was formed in 1986, a group which created a blend of rock and traditional Aboriginal music.
It became so popular Mr Yunupingu had to give up his teaching job.
Mr Yunupingu was the first Aboriginal person from Arnhem Land to gain a university degree, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in education from Deakin University in 1988.
In 1989 he became assistant principal of the Yirrkala Community School. In 1990 he took over as principal of that school, becoming the first Aboriginal principal in Australia. He held this position until late 1991, leaving to pursue his career with Yothu Yindi.
He always said he believed that life should be balanced and in harmony and that his mother taught him important Aboriginal ideas about how to live with people and with nature.
His name, Mr Yunupingu, means rock - rock that stands against time.
Minister for School Education and former Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett told Fairfax Media that he was devastated and shocked to hear of the death of his ''dear friend'', whose vision was for Indigenous and non-indigenous Australians to live together harmoniously.
''I think it's a terrible loss and one which will be very deeply felt, not only in Arnhem Land but around Australia,'' Mr Garrett he said.
''When I first met [him] he spoke to me about his people, his country, his culture and his dream, vision if you like, that we can live in a place where the two cultures nourish and support one another.
''He gave evidence to that through his life, through his music, through his subsequent work. It's something which I valued at the time and I'll value even more now that he has passed away.''
Yothu Yindi toured the US and Canada with Midnight Oil, and Mr Garrett and fellow musician Paul Kelly inducted Yothu Yindi last year into the ARIA Hall of Fame.
That was the last time Mr Garrett saw Mr Yunupingu alive. He had planned to meet up with him in Darwin in a few weeks.
''When Paul and I inducted [Yothu Yindi] to the Hall of Fame last year we had an opportunity to spend some time backstage and also be on stage with them,'' Mr Garrett said.
''As the performance of
Treaty was taking place, I was just struck by what a singular and important influence and presence both Mr Yunupingu and Yothu Yindi were.
''I'm devastated and I think many others will be too. He had been battling kidney disease for some time, but the last time that I saw him he was better than when I'd seen him before, and I guess I was just hopeful that he had got himself into a bit of a steadier state.''
Mr Garrett paid tribute to the way Mr Yunupingu was always ''building the bridges, which were so important in the relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the rest of us''.
In a statement, Prime Minister Julia Gillard said Australia had lost ''a great Australian voice in the efforts towards reconciliation''.
''We have lost a uniquely talented musician, a passionate advocate for Aboriginal people and a truly great friend,'' the statement said.
''A former Australian of the Year, his music set out challenges for us all in the road to reconciliation,'' Ms Gillard said.
''He will be remembered for his tremendous musical achievements, including being added to the ARIA Hall of Fame last year as the lead singer of Yothu Yindi.
''He will also be remembered as a great educational leader and a champion for the Yolngu people in East Arnhem Land, in the Northern Territory.
''He leaves a great body of work to inspire us and we will need all of that inspiration, for so much work remains undone.''
Arts Minister, Tony Burke, said that Australia had lost one of its most important cultural figures.
“Tribal Voice has always been one of my favourite Australian albums,” Mr Burke said.
“Mr Yunupingu didn’t only create a fusion of musical styles and a celebration of Australian culture, he reached people in a way that only music can.
“The passing of Mr Yunupingu is a sad day for Australian music and indigenous culture."
Indigenous leader Warren Mundine said Mr Yunupingu’s death was a tragedy and his thoughts went out to his family and the Yolngu people in north-east Arnhem Land.
‘‘He was an Australian of the Year, a national figure, a leader beyond the music stage,’’ Mr Mundine said.
‘‘He was an amazing man, like his brother, who came from an amazing family. Who would think that people in such isolated, small communities would have such an influence on the national and global stage? They’ve had a tremendous, positive influence beyond their own community.
‘‘It’s a very sad day and our heart goes out to the family.’’
Mr Mundine said Mr Yunupingu’s death at such a young age also highlighted the health issues being experienced by indigenous Australians.
‘‘It is a wake-up call to us all that a bloke of his standing can die at such a tragic young age. It’s typical that it’s happening in indigenous communities,’’ he said.
‘‘I had heart surgery last year. This is a wake-up call to us really to look after our health and really look at our lifestyle. Our people die too young.’’
*Due to cultural sensitivities Fairfax Media has removed the first name of Mr Yunupingu.
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