Yunupingu, one of Australia's most influential Indigenous leaders has died aged 74, his family said, months before a referendum on whether to recognize the community for the first time in the country's constitution
Yunupingu is best known as a land rights activist, who was involved in having traditional ownership documents recognised for the first time by Australia's parliament.
"Yunupingu walked in two worlds with authority, power and grace, and he worked to make them whole - together," he said in a statement.Australia's Indigenous community, known as Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander peoples, have inhabited the continent for tens of thousands of years, but have faced persecution and discrimination since colonisation by the British in 1788.
"Our father was driven by a vision for the future of this nation, his people's place in the nation and the rightful place for Aboriginal people everywhere," his daughter, Binmila Yunupingu said in a statement.towards holding a referendum to recognise Indigenous people in the constitution and set up an Indigenous "Voice to Parliament" to advise lawmakers on matters that impact their lives.
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