By Maeve Bannister in Canberra

INDIGENOUS Australians Minister Linda Burney says a great sadness has settled on the nation after the death of indigenous leader Yunupingu in northeast Arnhem Land.

The Yothu Yindi Foundation confirmed Yunupingu died peacefully at his home aged 74, surrounded by his family and ceremonial adornments on Monday.

“It is hard to put into words what this loss means for this country,” Ms Burney told reporters.

“It is hard to imagine the next Garma festival without Yunupingu and it is hard to imagine going forward for many people, but his legacy (and) his inspiration will live on.”

Yunupingu was a pioneer for land rights throughout Australia and assisted in the drafting of the first Yirrkala bark petition presented to the Australian parliament in 1963.

He met former prime minister Robert Menzies in the 1960s and dealt personally with every serving prime minister of Australia since Gough Whitlam.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Yunupingu was a great Australian and a leading figure who had played a central role in delivering the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

He spoke to Yunupingu a few weeks ago when the government revealed the question to be put to Australians about a referendum to enshrine an Indigenous voice in the constitution.

“At Garma last year, 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’,” Mr Albanese said.

“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.”

Ms Burney said Yunupingu’s presence would be felt by Australians at the upcoming referendum.

Leading indigenous academic Marcia Langton said Yunupingu had touched many people with his gracious leadership and kindness.

“People turned to him for advice because of his finely honed political and strategic skills. The great quality he had was kindness,” she told ABC Radio National.

“He always attempted to find the humanity in people. He encouraged Aboriginal leaders… to set goals such as constitutional recognition and find a way to achieve it.”

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said Yunupingu was deeply respected by all sides of politics and by the prime ministers he engaged with.

“We acknowledge the life and legacy of not just a great Indigenous Australian, but one of our greatest Australians,” he said in a statement.

The prime minister sent his condolences to Yunupingu’s family and community.

“Yunupingu now walks in another place, but he has left such great footsteps for us to follow here in this one,” he said.

Shadow attorney-general Julian Leeser said Yunupingu was one of the greatest Indigenous leaders of modern Australia.

“He was a man of strength, conviction and determination, a true moral voice in our country,” he told the National Press Club.

“He fought for rights, for freedoms and for respect… We remember Yunupingu today, we mourn Yunupingu today, may his memory be a blessing.”

US Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy, who met Yunupingu at Garma not long after starting her role, remembered the love and respect he drew.

“His leadership, service and sacrifice over decades helped Australia on its critical journey toward reconciliation,” she said.

“Yunupingu’s fire illuminated us all. May it be a beacon of inspiration for generations to come.”