Jida Gulpilil believes his father would've wanted to die on his traditional country in Arnhem Land if he'd had the chance: "Who wouldn't?"
WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains images of a person who has died.
The late actor's family has granted permission to use his name and image.
Instead, renowned actor David Gulpilil died thousands of kilometres away in regional South Australia, due largely to a lack of aged care and cancer treatment resources available in the remote NT.
"That was of course his wish, to be living in [his homeland of] Gupulul, for many years, but there just wasn't that sort of element of support or understanding," his eldest son said.
The Rabbit Proof Fence and Storm Boy star died in November in the town of Murray Bridge, aged 68.
Jida said he hoped his father's death would shine a light on a common circumstance – that elderly or ailing remote Indigenous Australians were often forced to leave home for treatment in towns far away.
"I think [his death] has triggered that conversation," Jida said.
"A lot of people are having to go away from their homeland area to fight their illnesses or to have treatment for certain illnesses, or dying, away from their homeland.
"In this day and age, why are we still letting that happen?
"I really think that there's better ways that we can help and support our people by providing them with the services and the models of health placement closer to community, or closer to their home, or even inside their home communities."
During his battle with lung cancer, Gulpilil was cared for in South Australia by his personal nurse and friend Mary Hood, who Jida said was "the real stone" in the actor's final years.
"Mum Mary we call her," Jida said.
"She was that real stone for us to know that he was properly cared for, and that he was safe, he had really good, beautiful, supporting people around him … that's hard to find for elderly people here.
Governments pledge improvements
The Commonwealth government pledged it was working to improve care options across remote Australia, but stopped short of outlining any specific future plans.
"The Morrison government is committed to improving access to critical care and palliative care in rural and remote communities," a spokesperson said.
"We're committed to working in partnership with state governments, the health sector and local communities to help build their workforce – one that is equipped to provide culturally safe, high quality care across all locations."
The NT government was also reluctant to promise any new facilities for palliative care in the Territory bush, but said they'd recently improved their end-of-life care services in Alice Springs and Darwin.
A spokesman also said the NT government would support patients who "wish to die at home on country" including with transport "back to country if that is the request from patient and family".
Actor's funeral plans in motion
Earlier this month, Gulpilil's body was repatriated to East Arnhem Land, where his coffin was met by dozens of mourners in Ramingining and Nhulunbuy.
Gulpilil's body will remain in the Gove District Hospital mortuary until July, when his traditional funeral on his homeland of Gupulul is expected to begin.
The remote homeland of Gupulul lies on the banks of the Glyde River, near Ramingining, but is all but inaccessible during the wet season months.
Plans are also underway for state funerals or memorial services.
"The two states, South Australia and the Northern Territory, governments are currently talking about how they will contribute to the state funerals equally," Jida said.
"Because he was residing in South Australia, but he was also a resident, a person, of the Northern Territory. So, the two governments are working now together to work out what they'll do to contribute equally to have memorial ceremonies in both South Australia and NT.
"So, we're waiting to hear on that, and we'll probably be having a meeting with them sometime soon."
The NT government said it was supporting Gulpilil's family with "arrangements for a traditional funeral in East Arnhem Land in the dry season this year".
"Discussions are also underway for an NT Memorial Service in Parliament House around the same time. This is in line with the family’s wishes," a spokesman said.
