Mandawuy Yunpingu is an Aboriginal Australian musician, most notable for being the front man of the band Yothu Yindi. They sing about balance, harmony and equality celebrating what it means to be an Australian Aborigine. He was the first Aboriginal to become a principal of a school in Australia, at Yirrkala in the Northern Territory. In 1992, he was made Australian of the Year for his work in improving understanding between Australians.
Background
Mandaway Yunupingu was born in Yirrkala in Arnhem Land, an Aboriginal Reserve in the northeastern part of the Northern Territory of Australia. He is a member of the Yolngu people. His father's name is Mangurrawut Yunupingu. His skin name was Gudjuk, which means hawk. His name was changed to Mandawuy when a family member with the same name died, in line with Yolngu custom. Yunupingu means "rock that stands against time".
Education
In 1977 Mandawuy Yunpingu earned a restricted teaching at the Yirrkala Community School.
Yunupingu was the first Aboriginal person from Arnhem Land to gain a university degree, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in education from Deakin University in 1988. In 1989 he became assistant principal of the Yirrkala Community School. In 1990 he took over as principal of that school, becoming the first Aboriginal principal in Australia. He held this position until late 1991, leaving to pursue his career with Yothu Yindi.
Career
Mandawuy decided to become a teacher while still at school. He later became Australia's first Aboriginal school principal.
In 1986 he co-founded the Aboriginal band Yothu Yindi in 1986. He is the lead singer and most prominent personality of the band, and he also plays guitar. The name Yothu Yindi means "child and mother". It refers to the kinship of north-east Arnhem Land. The band sang songs explaining the problems of Aboriginal life. It is most famous for the song "Treaty", which reached number 1 on the Australian charts and stayed there for a total of 22 weeks. The song contains words from Gujamati, an indigenous language.
Yothu Yindi became so popular Mandawuy had to give up his first job - teaching.
Views
As an Aboriginal Australian Mandawuy believes everything should be balanced and in harmony. When he was young his mother taught him important Aboriginal ideas, about how to live with people and with nature.
Racism didn't really affect Mandawuy until he tried to get a drink in a Melbourne bar. The bar manager wouldn't serve him. "I was angry. I wanted to challenge it. I thought of many ways I could get my rights and respect back. I opted to get that person to apologise to me on national TV."
Quotations:
Racism is a disease in society. We're all equal. I don't care what their colour is, or religion. Just as long as they're human beings they're my buddies.