Tributes For Yothu Yindi Leader

Tributes flowed from political and musical circles for Mandawuy Yunupingu, leader, singer and songwriter with indigenous Australian band Yothu Yindi. He died at age 56 at his home in the Northern Territory June 2.

Minister for School Education and former Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett said, “He was a dear friend, and a shining light for his people.” Indigenous country music singer Troy Cassar-Daley called Yunupingu “a true bridge builder.’.

Yunupingu’s family was involved in indigenous rights since the 1960s. He continued that path, as a school principal and as a musician.

Yothu Yindi combined traditional indigenous sounds and instruments with modern rock sounds. Its global clubland hit in the early ’90s, “Treaty,” was a reminder of the Australian government’s slow move to a treaty with the First Australians.

In his final years, Yunupingu fought end-stage renal disease, undergoing regular dialysis.

In November he was hospitalised after performing onstage with the band at the ARIA Awards when it was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.

The National Indigenous Music Awards, in Darwin in August, already announced in early May that young indigenous musicians would perform Yothu Yindi songs in tribute.