National

'Fearless' NT land council chair dies aged 61

By AAP Newswire

Nov 13, 2023

Samuel Bush-Blanasi with PM Anthony Albanese, June 2023 — Land rights activist Samuel Bush-Blanasi is being remembered as a fearless Indigenous leader. -AAP Image

Land rights activist and long-serving chair of the Northern Land Council Samuel Bush-Blanasi has died aged 61.

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Dr Bush-Blanasi served on the NLC board for nine terms, including four as Chair representing 51,000 people in the territory's largest 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 Monday.

"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 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.

Dr Bush-Blanasi was also a strong advocate for Indigenous women, consistently advocating for family-centric policies.

He is of Yolgnu and Mayili descent and is survived by his children and grandchildren.

By AAP Newswire

Australian Associated Press