Mandawuy Yunupingu - Telegraph Calling for land rights and reconciliation, Treaty topped the Australian charts for 22 weeks. It received airplay throughout the world, and in October 1992 Yothu Yindi travelled to New York and performed at the United Nations - the first rock band ever to do so - at the launch of the UN International Year for the World's Indigenous People. Eight years later Yothu Yindi found its largest audience of all, at the closing ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games and the opening ceremony of the Paralympics. They were accompanied by the band Midnight Oil, whose lead singer Peter Garrett had collaborated with Yunupingu on the original lyrics for Treaty. In an overtly political gesture, the members of Midnight Oil removed their black overalls to reveal outfits emblazoned front and back with the word "Sorry." It was also the year in which Cathy Freeman became the first ever Aboriginal Commonwealth Games gold medallist, at the age of 16 - an achievement that resonated deeply with Yunupingu. Aboriginal people felt - I felt - joy, enlightenment. Elated. Yunupingu was born Tom Djambayang Bakamanana Yunupingu on September 17 1956 in Australia's Northern Territory. He belonged to the Yolngu clan, and as is customary his name was changed to Mandawuy on the death of a family member with the same name. His father had been involved in the 1960s Aboriginal struggle for land rights and self-determination, and his older brother Galarrwuy became a noted politician . Yunupingu grew up in a household that spoke both the tribal language (Gujamati) and English, and became the first Aboriginal from his area to gain a university degree. In 1986 he co-founded, with Witiyana Marika, Yothu Yindi . The name is a Yolngu kinship term meaning "mother and child" and their music was quickly hailed by the Australian musician Paul Kelly, who took them on tour. Signed to the leading Australian label Mushroom Records, Yothu Yindi released their debut album, Homeland Movement, in 1988. At the same time as leading the band, Yunupingu worked as a teacher at Yirrkala Community School and in 1990 became its principal - the first Aboriginal in Australia to hold such a post. During this time he was able to tour with the band only during the school holidays; in late 1991 he resigned his position to focus on Yothu Yindi. That year they released the album Tribal Voice, and one of the songs on the record was Treaty . Remixed by the Melbourne DJs Filthy Lucre, Treaty became a hit in clubs. During live performances the band combined electric instruments with didgeridoo and clap sticks and flanked the musicians with dancers in striking body paint . In 1993 Yunupingu was named "Australian Of The Year." Yothu Yindi continued to release albums throughout the 1990s , but constant touring took its toll: Yunupingu descended into alcoholism, and decided to spend more time in his homeland. By the end of the decade the band was concentrating on playing for Aboriginal communities. Mandawuy Yunupingu is survived by his wife, Yalmay, and six daughters. Mandawuy Yunupingu, born September 17 1956, died June 2 2013