Yingiya Mark Guyula facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Yingiya Mark Guyula MLA
Member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly for Mulka
Incumbent
Assumed office 22 August 2020
Preceded by	New seat
Member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly for Nhulunbuy
In office 27 August 2016 – 22 August 2020
Preceded by	Lynne Walker
Succeeded by	Seat abolished
Personal details
Born	Mirrngadja, Northern Territory, Australia
Political party	Independent
Occupation	Pilot Politician

Yingiya Mark Guyula is an Australian politician. He is a Yolŋu man from the Djambarrpuyŋu clan. He is an independent member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly. He represents the area called Mulka in north-east Arnhem Land. Before this, he represented Nhulunbuy from 2016 to 2020. He is the only independent Indigenous member of parliament in the Northern Territory. He works to help Yolŋu people have more control over their own lives.

Early Life and First Career

Growing Up in Arnhem Land

Yingiya Mark Guyula was born and grew up in Mirrngadja. This is a place in Arnhem Land. He lived there with his family and learned the Yolŋu way of life. When he was 10, he started his Western education. He went to Shepherdson College on Elcho Island. Later, he attended Dhulpuma College and Nhulunbuy Area School.

Becoming a Pilot

After school, he returned home for a while. Then, he moved to Nhulunbuy to work with MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship). He trained in aircraft maintenance and engineering. He later trained to be a pilot in Victoria. In 1983, he became the first Yolŋu commercial pilot for his region.

Political Journey

Working in Education and Community

Before becoming a politician, Guyula worked in cross-cultural education. He had many jobs in schools, local councils, and community groups. He is also a certified interpreter. For many years, he was a senior lecturer at Charles Darwin University. He taught in their Yolŋu Studies program.

Entering Parliament in 2016

In 2016, Guyula decided to run for the Northern Territory election. He ran against the current Labor Party member, Lynne Walker. Guyula's main ideas were about self-determination for Indigenous Australians. This means Indigenous people having more control over their own communities. He also wanted a Treaty between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

On election night, Guyula slowly caught up to Walker. He won by a very small number of votes after a recount. His win was a big surprise. This was especially true because the Labor Party won many seats in that election.

Re-election in 2020

Guyula was re-elected in the 2020 general election. He ran against Lynne Walker again. This time, he ran for the new seat of Mulka. This new seat replaced Nhulunbuy. He won with even more support than before.

Key Issues and Advocacy

Speaking in Yolŋu Language in Parliament

Guyula strongly supports Yolŋu law, culture, and language. For almost three years, he asked for changes to parliament rules. He wanted to be able to speak his first language, Djambarrpuyŋu, in parliament. He became the first politician in Australia to give a major speech in an Aboriginal language. He used an interpreter on the parliament floor. In his speech, he talked about how important it is to support bilingual education.

Advocating for Yolŋu Rights

Guyula has worked hard to make sure Yolŋu people's rights are respected.

• In 2018, he met Prince Charles at the Garma Festival. He gave him a traditional letter stick. This stick showed that Yolŋu people have their own sovereignty (right to govern themselves). He asked Prince Charles to help them talk with the Australian government about a Treaty.
• Later that year, Guyula went to New York. He spoke at the United Nations's Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. He asked for more international support for Yolŋu sovereignty. He also asked for direct treaty talks with Indigenous nations. He wanted support for their right to bilingual education.

Protecting Cultural Practices

In 2019, Guyula helped stop a new law about burials and cremations. This law could have fined or jailed Aboriginal people for doing traditional ceremonies. These ceremonies often happen outside government-approved cemeteries. Guyula spoke out against the bill. Aboriginal land councils and justice groups supported him. Because of this, the government withdrew the bill. Guyula said that governments need to listen to and respect Aboriginal people.

Supporting Remote Communities

Guyula also works for people in the mining town of Nhulunbuy and surrounding areas. He talks about the high cost of living, travel, and services there. He has criticized governments and phone companies for not providing good services to remote towns. He believes this shows a general lack of care for these areas.

Views on the Environment

Guyula is against fracking in the Northern Territory. Fracking is a way to get gas from the ground. He supports developing the renewable energy industry. Renewable energy comes from natural sources like the sun and wind. He has said that stopping fracking and moving to renewable energy is important for fighting climate change.