Garma Festival leader dies after alleged attack

A well respected Arnhem Land leader who fought for the rights of the Yolŋu people has died aged 70.

B Yunupiŋu was an elder of the Gumatj clan on the Northern Territory’s Gove Peninsula.

He was also a board member of the Yothu Yindi Foundation and a regular at the annual Garma Festival, where he would lead ceremonies and greet visitors.

Gumatj leader Djawa Yunupiŋu said his brother was “a strong and decent man who walked tall in all worlds”.

“Words cannot say how much he will be missed,” he told the ABC.

“He will be received by our ancestors with great respect and honour.”

Mr B Yunupiŋu was allegedly beaten in an attack at his home on April 19.

He fell into a coma and never recovered. He died at Royal Darwin Hospital on May 8.

A 42-year-old man has been charged with domestic violence offences over the incident and is due to face the Darwin Local Court on June 18.

NT Police said in a statement that an investigation into the incident remained ongoing.

* The use of B Yunupiŋu’s name and image has been approved by his family.