Mourners will gather in Darwin to mark the loss of influential former Northern Land Council chair Dr Bush-Blanasi.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
A state funeral will be held at 10.30am on December 15, Northern Territory Chief Minister Natasha Fyles announced through a Facebook post late on Wednesday.
Dr Bush-Blanasi died in early November aged 61, after serving nine terms on the NLC board, including four as chair representing 51,000 people in the territory's largest and most powerful land council.
A passionate advocate for the recently voted down Voice to Parliament referendum, he also secured sea country rights in Arnhem Land for traditional owners in 2022.
The Aboriginal Sea Company was the first of its kind and enabled traditional owners to oversee commercial fishing, aquaculture and other fishing-related activities along the Arnhem Land coastline.
"A fearless leader gone too soon ... his leadership was bold and uncompromising," NLC said in a statement on after his death.
"Never deferential; he spoke truth to power ... his political nous was second to none; equally as influential when talking with countrymen or politicians."
Dr Bush-Blanasi was crowned the NT's 2023 Australian of the Year and awarded an honorary doctorate for his work supporting native title claims, including overseeing the historic hand-back of the remaining half of Kakadu National Park to 14 clan estate groups.
Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney and NT members of Federal Parliament Malarndirri McCarthy and Marion Scrymgour expressed their sadness at his death.
"As three female representatives in the field of Indigenous Affairs - his respect and courage was a constant source of strength for all of us," they said in a joint statement at the time.
"His wisdom, leadership and his sense of humour will be sorely missed."
The Yolngu and Mayili man is survived by his children and grandchildren.
Further details about the location of the funeral are yet to be announced.
Australian Associated Press
