Posted May 11, 2017 14:43:43

Photo: Bonita Mabo embraces Gayili Marika Yunupingu (in red) (Geoff Bagnall)

An Aboriginal elder credited with single-handedly reducing the shocking rate of suicide in her community says her work is not over yet.

Bonita Mabo, wife of the late land rights pioneer Eddie Mabo, last night presented Gayili Marika Yunupingu with a lifetime achievement award at the National Indigenous Human Rights Awards.

The pair embraced and cried at Parliament House as Ms Yunupingu accepted the accolade.

"The job is not finished," Ms Yunupingu said.

Twelve years ago Ms Yunupingu began a movement to support young people who felt hopeless and suicidal in East Arnhem Land.

At her community at Melville Bay, she put herself on call — 24 hours a day — responding to calls for help from people considering taking their own lives.

The suicide rate there began falling when she established her program, and she recruited others to volunteer to spend time with people in crisis.

She said her next step would be establishing a healing camp, and working with perpetrators and victims of domestic violence.

"We continue to work with the healing place in our community," she said.

"I accept this award also on behalf of my community, who has struggled with me to keep our people safe and to keep them walking with us."

Aboriginal educator and the Prime Minister's Indigenous advisor, Professor Chris Sarra, was presented with a Courage award for his work over many decades.

Mervyn Eades, who helps ex-prisoners into work in Western Australia, was also recognised.

Photo: Eddie Mabo's daughter says he left a legacy for all Australian people to carry on. (ABC TV)

The awards took on special significance this year, 25 years since the historic Mabo decision.

Eddie Mabo's daughter, Gail, said her father left a legacy for all Australian people to carry on.

"He was a man who was driven by the passions of his people. Let that be the fight of now," she said.

She said she was heartened to see a new generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people fighting for land rights.

"I take my hat off to everyone who's fighting to maintain their connection to country — because without country, who are we?"

Ms Mabo said she still had vivid memories of her father, who never lived to see the High Court decision handed down.

"I'd lie there and watch him, and sometimes I saw him cry, and sometimes I'd see him sing.

"The loss of someone, as we all know, it feels like yesterday."

If you need to talk to someone, call @LifelineAust 13 11 14; @KidsHelplineAU 1800 551 800; @MensLine_Aus 1300 789 978; @SuicideCallBack 1300 659 467.

Topics: indigenous-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander, community-and-society, suicide, nt, australia