Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has paid tribute to Indigenous leader Yunupingu, remembering him as a "great Australian" and "national treasure".
Note to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers: Yunupingu's last name and image are used here in accordance with the wishes of his family.
The Gumatj clan leader died in north-east Arnhem Land, aged 74.
Mr Albanese said the land rights activist was a man who "walked in two worlds with authority, power and grace".
"Yunupingu understood a fundamental truth: if you want to make your voice count, you have to make sure that it's heard," he said.
"He made sure with the sheer power of his advocacy for land rights.
In a statement, Mr Albanese also reflected on a moment at last year's Garma Festival, when the prime minister announced details about the Voice to Parliament.
"After I announced the details of the referendum, he asked me, 'are you serious this time?' I replied: 'Yes, we're going to go for it'.
"When I spoke with him just over a week ago, I told him I was confident we would get there. This brought him some comfort, as did his totems of fire and baru, the saltwater crocodile, which watched over him in his final days."
The long-term chair of the Northern Land Council (NLC) "was a man who stood tall in his beloved country, and worked to lift our entire continent in the process", Mr Albanese said.
"Yunupingu is gone, but the gurtha — the great tongue of flame and truth with which spoke to us — is still with us. As it burns away all that is superfluous and false, it lights the path ahead for us," he said.
Indigenous academic Professor Marcia Langton described Yunupingu as a "magnificent person and magnificent leader".
"Most people in Australia, who are aware of him, know him as a ceremonial leader because of his caring presence, leading ceremonies at the Garma Festival for so many years," she said.
"And most importantly, at events that he himself curated in order to present representations to prime ministers and ministers of Australian governments.
"He has spoken and made representations to every prime minister of his adulthood."
Ms Langton said there would be many people mourning his loss.
"He touched so many people with his gracious leadership and kindness," she said,
"It's such a shame really, that he didn't live to see better outcomes."
'A special place in the heart'
United States Ambassador Caroline Kennedy also paid tribute in a statement, having met Yunupingu at last year's Garma Festival.
"When we met ... in Arnhem Land only days after my arrival in Australia, I was struck by the tremendous respect and love that this proud Yolngu man drew from those around him, Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike," she said.
"His leadership, service and sacrifice over decades helped Australia on its critical journey toward reconciliation."
Samuel Bush-Blanasi offered condolences to Yunupingu's family on behalf of past and present members, and staff, of the NLC.
Yunupingu served eight terms as chair of the NLC, spanning 24 years, from 1977 to 1980 and 1983 to 2004.
"Yunupingu will always have a special place in the heart of the Northern Land Council. He served as Chair for almost half our existence. This year is our 50th anniversary. We are part of his great legacy," Dr Bush-Blanasi said.
"He was in the frontline of the fight for land rights. Those days were tough. But he was tougher.
"Governments and everyone opposed us all the way. He took the fight to the streets, to Canberra and to the High Court many times.
"Lots of people today don't remember what it was like. But we do and we will never forget."
A significant legacy
Northern Territory Chief Minister Natasha Fyles acknowledged Yunupingu's death on behalf of the Northern Territory government.
"Yunupingu was a visionary who cared deeply for people and our home here in the Northern Territory," she said.
"He believed in a better future, and he worked tirelessly to create one.
"His legacy will never be bested and it is my hope it continues for generations to come."
Northern Territory Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro hailed Yunupingu as "a remarkable leader for his people in north-east Arnhem Land and all Australians".
"Yunupingu was a staunch advocate for the agency of his people and for a future where two cultures could live side by side," she said.
"[He] was an extraordinary man making an extraordinary contribution to the future of Australia.
"He will be greatly missed but never forgotten."
Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney said "a great sadness had settled on Australia".
"He was … one of the most significant leaders, for two decades, of First Nations people across this country," she said.
"He fought with a passion, for his people, for land, for identity, and he loved this country.
"He said he was the fire, and he believed very deeply in a referendum to recognise Aboriginal people in the Australian constitution."
Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians Julian Leeser said Yunupingu was "one of the greatest Indigenous leaders that modern Australia has produced".
"A man of strength, conviction and determination," he said.
