'Cultural bridge' Marika dies in Arnhem Land

A Northern Territory Indigenous leader from Arnhem Land has died.

For cultural reasons, Dr Marika's first name can no longer be used.

Dr Marika was a decorated educator with qualifications from Melbourne University and the Batchelor Institute of Tertiary Education.

Her achievements in improving Indigenous opportunities were acknowledged in 2006 when she won both the Territorian of the Year award and the Territory's Australian of the Year award.

She was also part of last month's 2020 summit.

Northern Territory MLA Syd Stirling says Dr Marika was hunting with her family yesterday afternoon at Yirrkala when she is believed to have suffered a heart attack.

He says her death is a huge loss to the local Arnhem Land community, and Australia.

"She was a gifted and passionate educator, a wonderful mother of course to her three children, gentle but very strong mentor to both Yolgnu and non-Indigenous alike.

"She really was a bridge between the two cultures out here, highly skilled interpreter and a highly valued leader of course within the Marika family and the Yirrkala community."

Long-time friend and the former principal of the Yirrkala school Leon White says Dr Marika was a mentor to many Indigenous leaders, including Nugget Coombes.

"She was passionate about her family, her culture, her language and she passed on that knowledge that she had about things.

"There was also an obligation to keep on learning and be humble in the presense of others who knew more."

Steve Roeger, the head of an Aboriginal land management corporation in east Arnhem Land, says the community is devastated at the loss of the talented linguist.

"Dr Marika was one of our founders and played an enormous role both in helping establish Dhimurru and also as a committee member and as a strong supporter of our activities."

The head of Reconciliation Australia, Barbara Livesey, has also paid tribute to Dr Marika, saying she made a huge contribution to Aboriginal affairs across the country.

"While we know that she did much work in her community, at the national level she was just a tireless worker for reconciliation and for building understanding between non-Indigenous people, Yolngu people and other Indigenous people."

Dr Marika was the eldest daughter of Roy Marika - a pioneer of the land rights movement in Arnhem Land.

She was 49-years-old.