The Yolngu people of the Northern Territory and beyond are mourning the death of prominent land rights campaigner and community leader Mr D Marika.
WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains images of a person who has died.
Mr D Marika, 68, whose full name and image cannot be published for cultural reasons, was a well-respected leader of the Rirratjingu clan in the remote community of Yirrkala in East Arnhem Land.
He passed away on Monday from health complications.
He fought hard for the rights of Yolngu people, serving as the deputy president of the East Arnhem Regional Council and carving out a unique path in politics in his quest for Yolngu independence.
His wife Marrpalawuy Marika said their family has been left "devastated".
"He has left a legacy behind, and that is something very, very special to my children and to my grandchildren," she said.
Mr D Marika served on the Miwatj health board for more than 15 years.
He has left behind two sons, Makunkun and Djayminy, and two daughters Gurruwul and Rokula, as well as several grandchildren.
His eldest son Brendan Makunkun described his father as a "peacemaker".
"Every time there were issues within the community or family, he would always come in and solve problems in a sensible manner and a peaceful manner," he said.
"He was a humble man — he never showed aggression toward anyone. His words were healing."
His youngest son, Djayminy, said he was "really shocked and really sad" about losing his dad.
"He is a special man and a great leader for us and our community and homelands."
Mr D Marika's sister Yalmay Marika-Yunupingu said the late elder was a "father, a rock that stands against time".
"He was a great, strong leader even though he was slowly deteriorating, but he still showed his leadership," she said.
"He was a father, a husband, an uncle, a grandfather, a great-grandparent, a really remarkable and respected person."
NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner announced the passing of Mr D Marika in a Facebook post on Thursday morning, hailing the clan elder as a "passionate ambassador for the Yolngu people".
"Mr Marika always put his community first and gave years of service to the board of Miwatj Health, to the regional council, and to the Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporation," he said.
"Mr Marika was a tenacious advocate for Yolngu self-determination and was a fierce champion of land rights, which was unsurprising given his birthright."
In 2009, Mr D Marika was a member of 60 Yolngu clans pushing to form their own independent government to determine the future of their people.
The movement represented about 12,000 Indigenous Australians and marked a significant step toward self-determination.
Mr Marika's father, Mathaman Marika, was a key figure in the Gove land rights struggle in the 1960s.
The late artist and activist helped organise the Yirrkala bark petitions in 1963, requesting the federal government formally recognise the Yolngu people's traditional lands.
The petitions were the first formal assertion of Indigenous native title.
Makunkun said he felt it was his duty to carry on his family's legacy.
"It's time for us young people to take on that leadership role," he said.
