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{{short description|Australian musical group}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2014}}
{{Use Australian English|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name              = Yothu Yindi
| image             = 201000 - Opening Ceremony Yothu Yindi perform 3 - 3b - 2000 Sydney opening ceremony photo.jpg
| caption           = Yothu Yindi perform at the Opening Ceremony of the [[2000 Summer Paralympics]] in Sydney, Australia
| image_size        = 
| alias             = Swamp Jockeys (Todd Williams, Michael Wyatt, Cal Williams, Stuart Kellaway, and Andrew Beletty)
| origin            = [[Yolngu|Yolngu homelands]], Northern Territory, Australia
| genre             = {{hlist|[[Indigenous Australian music]]|rock}}
| years_active      = 1985–present
| label             = [[Mushroom Records|Mushroom]], Hollywood
| website           = {{URL|yothuyindi.com.au}}
| current_members   = [[#Members|See below]]
}}

'''Yothu Yindi''' ([[Yolŋu Matha|Yolngu]] for "child and mother", pronounced {{IPAc-en|ˌ|j|ɒ|θ|uː|_|ˈ|j|ɪ|n|d|i}}, natively {{IPA|aus|ju:t̪u jindi||generic=yes}}) are an Australian musical group with [[Australian Aboriginal|Aboriginal]] and non-Aboriginal members, formed in 1986 as a merger of two bands formed in 1985 – a white rock group called the '''Swamp Jockeys''' (Todd Williams, Michael Wyatt, Cal Williams, Stuart Kellaway, Andrew Bellety), and an unnamed Aboriginal folk group consisting of [[Mandawuy Yunupingu]], [[Witiyana Marika]], and Milkayngu Mununggur. The Aboriginal members came from [[Yolngu|Yolngu homelands]] near [[Yirrkala, Northern Territory|Yirrkala]] on the [[Gove Peninsula]] in [[Northern Territory]]'s [[Arnhem Land]]. Founding members included Stuart Kellaway on bass guitar, Cal Williams on lead guitar, Andrew Belletty on drums, Witiyana Marika on [[manikay]] (traditional vocals), [[bilma]] (ironwood [[clapstick]]s) and dance, Milkayngu Mununggurr on [[yidaki]], [[Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu]] on keyboards, guitar, and percussion, past lead singer [[Mandawuy Yunupingu]] and present Yirrnga Yunupingu on vocals and guitar.

The band combines aspects of both musical cultures. Their sound varies from traditional Aboriginal songs to modern pop and rock songs, where they blended the typical instruments associated with pop/rock bands, such as guitars and drums, with the traditional [[yidaki|yidaki (didgeridoo]]) and [[Clapstick|bilma (clap stick)]]. They adapted traditional Yolngu dance performances to accompany their music. More broadly, they promoted mutual respect and understanding in the coming together of different cultures.

Yothu Yindi's most widely known song, "[[Treaty (song)|Treaty]]", peaked at No.&nbsp;11 on the [[ARIA Charts|ARIA singles charts]] in 1991 and the related album ''[[Tribal Voice]]'' peaked at No.&nbsp;4 on the ARIA albums charts.

The group established the Yothu Yindi Foundation in 1990 to promote Yolngu cultural development, including from 1999 producing the annual [[Garma Festival of Traditional Cultures]] and from May 2007 running the Dilthan Yolngunha (meaning "Healing Place"). Chairman of the foundation was [[Galarrwuy Yunupingu]]. He was Mandawuy's older brother, a Yolngu clan leader and sometimes a member of Yothu Yindi on bilma and guitar. Galarrwuy had been named [[Australian of the Year]] in 1978 for his work for Aboriginal communities and Mandawuy was [[Australian of the Year]] for 1992 for his work with Yothu Yindi. In December 2012, the [[Australian Recording Industry Association]] (ARIA) inducted the band into the [[ARIA Hall of Fame]], as part of the [[ARIA Music Awards of 2012]]. In 2023, the band were inducted into the [[National Indigenous Music Awards]] Hall of Fame.

==Career==
===1986–1990: Early years===
Swamp Jockeys were formed in 1985 by ''balanda'' (European/non-Aboriginal people) Todd Williams songwriter and lead singer, Michael Wyatt, songwriter and lead singer, Andrew Belletty on drums, Stuart Kellaway on bass guitar and Cal Williams on lead guitar.<ref name="ARDb"/> On their tour of [[Arnhem Land]], in Australia's [[Northern Territory]], they were supported by a [[Yolngu]] band composed of Witiyana Marika on ''manikay'' (traditional vocals), ''bilma'' (ironwood [[clapstick]]s) and dance, Milkayngu Mununggurr on ''yidaki'' ([[didgeridoo]]), [[Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu|Gurrumul 'The Guru' Yunupingu]] on keyboards, guitar and percussion, and [[Mandawuy Yunupingu|Bakamana Yunupingu]] on vocals and guitar. They united to form Yothu Yindi (pronounced {{IPAc-en|ˌ|j|ɒ|θ|uː|_|ˈ|j|ɪ|n|d|iː}}).<ref name="McF">{{cite book |title=[[Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop]] |last=McFarlane |first=Ian |author-link=Ian McFarlane |publisher=[[Allen & Unwin]] |year=1999 |chapter=Encyclopedia entry for 'Yothu Yindi' |chapter-url=http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=800 |isbn=1-86448-768-2 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20040930230809/http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=800|access-date=4 November 2008 |archive-date= 30 September 2004}}</ref><ref name="ARDb">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927020038/http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/y/yothuyindi.html |url=http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/y/yothuyindi.html |title=Yothu Yindi |publisher=[[Australian Rock Database]]. Passagen.se (Magnus Holmgren) |last1=Holmgren |first1=Magnus |last2=Warnqvist |first2=Stefan |archive-date=27 September 2012 |url-status=usurped |access-date=12 February 2014 }}</ref><ref name="Howl">{{cite web |archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20120726191200/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/14231/20120727-0512/www.howlspace.com.au/en/yothuyindi/yothuyindi.htm |url=http://www.whiteroom.com.au/howlspace/en/yothuyindi/yothuyindi.htm |title=Yothu Yindi |publisher=HowlSpace |editor-first=Ed |editor-last=Nimmervoll |editor-link=Ed Nimmervoll |archive-date=26 July 2012 |access-date=22 January 2014 }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> ''Yothu yindi'' is a [[Yolngu Matha|Yolngu ''matha'']] (Yolngu language) kinship term for "child and mother".

The band combines aspects of both musical cultures. Their sound varies from traditional Aboriginal songs to modern pop and rock songs in which they blend the typical instruments of pop/rock bands, such as guitars and drums, with the traditional [[yidaki]] and [[bilma]]. They have adapted traditional Yolngu dance performances to accompany their music. More broadly they promote mutual respect and understanding of different cultures.<ref name="McF" /><ref name="Howl" /> Michael Wyatt, from the Swamp Jockeys, went on to become Yothu Yindi's pilot and with Stephen Johnson made Yothu Yindi's multiple award winning music video clips. He was also stage manager on Australian tours and their tour to the New York's World Music festival.

Bakamana Yunupingu was a tertiary student studying to become a teacher. He became principal at his own [[Yirrkala, Northern Territory|Yirrkala]] Community School, and touring by Yothu Yindi was restricted to school holidays in the band's early years.<ref name="McF"/><ref name="Howl"/> In August 1988 they performed in [[Townsville]], Queensland, at the South Pacific Festival of Arts. The next month they represented Australia in [[Seoul, South Korea]] at the Cultural Olympics. [[Bart Willoughby]] (ex-[[No Fixed Address (band)|No Fixed Address]], [[Coloured Stone]]) joined on drums in late 1988 and Yothu Yindi toured USA and Canada as support act to [[Midnight Oil]]. Upon their return to Australia, they were signed to [[Mushroom Records]], and with Leszek Karski (ex-Supercharge) producing, recorded their debut single "Mainstream", released in March 1989. It was followed by debut album ''[[Homeland Movement (album)|Homeland Movement]]'' in May; a second single "[[Djäpana|Djäpana (Sunset Dreaming)]]" was released in August.<ref name="McF"/><ref name="ARDb"/> Neither their singles nor album had any major chart success.<ref name="AusCharts">Peaks of albums in Australia: The award-winning film clip was made by Michael Wyatt and Stephen Johnson of Burrundi Pictures.* All except noted: {{cite web|url=http://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Yothu+Yindi |title=Yothu Yindi discography |publisher=Australian Charts Portal |access-date=4 November 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090512180827/http://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Yothu+Yindi |archive-date=12 May 2009 |df=dmy }}* ''Homeland Movement'', ''Birrkuta – Wild Honey'' and ''Garma'': {{cite Ryan|page=307}}</ref> Yothu Yindi toured with [[Neil Young]] in Australia, then head-lined in Papua New Guinea and Hong Kong. In 1990 they toured New Zealand with [[Tracy Chapman]], and then performed in festivals in the UK.<ref name="McF"/><ref name="Howl"/> In 1990 five clans of the Yolngu formed the Yothu Yindi Foundation to promote Yulngu cultural development.<ref name="YYF">{{cite web |url=http://www.garma.telstra.com/yy_foundation.htm |title=Yothu Yindi Foundation |publisher=garma.telstra.com |access-date=6 November 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001109232000/http://www.garma.telstra.com/yy_foundation.htm |archive-date=9 November 2000 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="Heal">{{cite web |url=http://www.healingplace.com.au/yyf.html |title=Yothu Yindi Foundation |publisher=The Healing Place Dilthan Yolngunha |access-date=7 November 2008 |archive-date=13 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080913144432/http://www.healingplace.com.au/yyf.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Chairman of the foundation was Galarrwuy Yunupingu,<ref name="Heal"/> Mandawuy's older brother, a Yolngu clan leader and sometimes a member of Yothu Yindi on ''bilma'' and guitar.<ref name="McF"/><ref name="Howl"/><ref name="YYF"/> Galarrwuy had been named [[Australian of the Year]] in 1978 for his work for Aboriginal communities.<ref name="Heal"/> Around this time, a relative of Bakamana who bore the same name died, and he therefore changed his first name to Mandawuy, in line with Yolngu tradition.

The band commissioned their friend and relative (married to Gurrumul's sister), master yiḏaki-maker [[Djalu Gurruwiwi]], to make their didgeridoos, which also brought his skills to the attention of the world.<ref>{{cite web | title=Djalu Gurruwiwi | website=iDIDJ Australia | url=https://www.ididj.com.au/djalu-gurruwiwi/ | access-date=20 January 2020}}</ref>

===1991–1992: "Treaty" and ''Tribal Voice''===
In 1988, as part of [[Australian Bicentenary#1988|Bicentennial]] celebrations, Australian Prime Minister [[Bob Hawke]] visited the Northern Territory for the Barunga festival where he was presented with a statement of Aboriginal political objectives by Galarrwuy Yunupingu and [[Wenten Rubuntja]].<ref name="Barunga">{{cite web|url=http://www1.aiatsis.gov.au/exhibitions/treaty/barunga.htm |title=Barunga Statement |last=Howie-Willis |first=Ian |year=2001 |publisher=The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) |access-date=4 November 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717022315/http://www1.aiatsis.gov.au/exhibitions/treaty/barunga.htm |archive-date=17 July 2011 |df=dmy }}</ref> Hawke responded to the Barunga Statement with a promise that a treaty would be concluded with [[Indigenous Australians]] by 1990.<ref name="Barunga"/> By 1991, Yothu Yindi were Hughie Benjamin on drums, Sophie Garrkali and Julie Gungunbuy as dancers, Kellaway, Marika, Mununggurr, Gurrumul Yunupingu, Makuma Yunupingu on ''yidaki'', vocals, ''bilma'', Mandawuy Yunupingu, Mangatjay Yunupingu as a dancer.<ref name="McF"/> Mandawuy, with his older brother Galarrwuy, wanted a song to highlight the lack of progress on the treaty between Aboriginal peoples and the federal government. Mandawuy recalls:

{{blockquote|Bob Hawke visited the Territory. He went to this gathering in Barunga. And this is where he made a statement that there shall be a treaty between black and white Australia. Sitting around the camp fire, trying to work out a chord to the guitar, and around that camp fire, I said, "Well, I heard it on the radio. And I saw it on the television." That should be a catchphrase. And that's where 'Treaty' was born.<ref name="GNT">{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/gnt/profiles/Transcripts/s1150380.htm |title=''George Negus Tonight'' Profiles – Transcripts – Mandawuy Yunupingu |publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] (ABC) |date=8 July 2004 |access-date=6 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080606014348/http://www.abc.net.au/gnt/profiles/Transcripts/s1150380.htm |archive-date=6 June 2008 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>|Mandawuy Yunupingu |8 July 2004}}

"Treaty" was written by Australian musician [[Paul Kelly (Australian musician)|Paul Kelly]] and Yothu Yindi members Mandawuy Yunupingu, Kellaway, Williams, Gurrumul Yunupingu, Mununggurr and Marika.<ref name="APRA2001">{{cite web|url=http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/MusicAwards/History/2001Top30Songs.aspx |title=APRA 2001 Top 30 Songs |date=2 May 2001 |access-date=6 November 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140401091541/http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/apraawards/musicawards/history/2001Top30Songs.aspx |archive-date=1 April 2014 |df=dmy }}</ref><ref name="ASCAP">{{cite web |url=http://www.ascap.com/ace/search.cfm?requesttimeout=300&mode=results&searchstr=500477587&search_in=i&search_type=exact&search_det=t,s,w,p,b,v&results_pp=20&start=1 |title=The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) |publisher=[[American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers|ASCAP]] |access-date=6 November 2008 }}</ref><!-- NOTE: Some sources include Peter Garrett of Midnight Oil as a songwriter.<ref name="McF"/><ref name="Howl"/> Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) is the organisation that registers songs for Australian acts and does not include Garrett. "Treaty" is also registered with American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and has the same songwriters, again excluding Garrett. I've gone with the registered songwriters.--> The initial release had little interest,<ref name="Howl"/> but when Melbourne-based dance remixers [[Filthy Lucre (music producer)|Filthy Lucre]]'s [[Gavin Campbell (music producer)|Gavin Campbell]] and Robert Goodge adapted the song, their version peaked at No.&nbsp;11 on the [[Australian Recording Industry Association]] (ARIA) singles [[ARIA Charts|charts]] by September.<ref name="McF"/><ref name="AusCharts"/> The song contains lyrics in both English and in Yolngu ''matha''. It was accompanied by a video showing band members performing vocals, music, and dance.<ref name="McF"/><ref name="Howl"/>

Success for the single was transferred to the related album ''[[Tribal Voice]]'' which peaked at No.&nbsp;4 on the ARIA albums charts,<ref name="AusCharts"/> The album, produced by Mark Moffatt for Mushroom Records, was released in September 1991.<ref name="ARDb"/> Mandawuy Yunupingu took leave of absence from his duties as principal to tour and promote the single and album.<ref name="McF"/><ref name="Howl"/> Other singles from the album were a re-released "[[Djäpana|Djäpana (Sunset Dreaming)]]" which peaked at No.&nbsp;13 in 1992 and "[[Tribal Voice (song)|Tribal Voice]]" which peaked at number 51.<ref name="AusCharts"/>

At the 1992 [[ARIA Music Awards|ARIA Awards]] Yothu Yindi won awards for [[ARIA Award for Best Cover Art]] for ''Tribal Voice'' by Louise Beach and Mushroom Art; [[ARIA Award for Engineer of the Year]] for "Maralitja" (''maralitja'' is Yolngu ''matha'' for crocodile man – one of Mandawuy's tribal names), "Dharpa" (''dharpa'' is tree), "Treaty", "Treaty (Filthy Lucre remix)" and "Tribal Voice" by David Price, Ted Howard, Greg Henderson and Simon Polinski; [[ARIA Award for Best Indigenous Release]] for ''Tribal Voice''; [[ARIA Award for Song of the Year]] and Single of the Year for "Treaty.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-year.php?year=1992 |title=1992: 6th Annual ARIA Awards |publisher=[[ARIA Music Awards]] |access-date=6 November 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927120947/http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-year.php?year=1992 |archive-date=27 September 2011 }}</ref><ref name="ARIAlist">{{cite web|url=http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-artist.php?letter=Y&artist=Yothu%20Yindi |title=ARIA Awards 2008: History: Winners by Artist: Yothu Yindi search results |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) |access-date=6 November 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213050141/http://ariaawards.com.au/history-by-artist.php?letter=Y&artist=Yothu%20Yindi |archive-date=13 February 2009 |df=dmy }}</ref> Both "Treaty" in 1992 and "[[Djäpana|Djäpana (Sunset Dreaming)]]" in 1993 charted on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Hot Dance Club Play]] singles charts, with "Treaty" peaking at No.&nbsp;6,<ref name="BillS">{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p23658|pure_url=yes}} |title=Yothu Yindi – Charts & Awards – ''Billboard'' Singles |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=8 November 2008 }}</ref> ''Tribal Voice'' peaked at No.&nbsp;3 on the ''Billboard'' Top World Music Albums chart in 1992.<ref name="BillA">{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p23658|pure_url=yes}} |title=Yothu Yindi – Charts & Awards – ''Billboard'' Albums |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=8 November 2008 }}</ref>

In October 1992, then Prime Minister [[Paul Keating]]'s government awarded Yothu Yindi with a $30,000 grant.<ref name="McF"/><ref name="Hayw">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0KRXtWHqqWMC&q=sound+alliances |title=Sound Alliances: Indigenous peoples, cultural politics, and popular music in the Pacific |editor-first=Philip |editor-last=Hayward |publisher=Continuum International Publishing Group |year=1998 |isbn=978-0-304-70050-9 |access-date=6 November 2008 }}</ref> The money was used to travel to New York, where they performed at the United Nations for the launch of International Year for the World's Indigenous People.<ref name="McF"/><ref name="Hayw"/> Mandawuy Yunupingu was named [[Australian of the Year]] by the Keating government on 26 January 1993.<ref name="McF"/> His older brother, Galarrwuy had been named Australian of the Year in 1978 for his work for Aboriginal communities.<ref name="Heal"/>

In 2009 'Treaty' was added to the [[National Film and Sound Archive]]'s Sounds of Australia Registry.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nfsa.gov.au/collection/sound/sounds-australia/complete-list/ |title=The complete list // National Film and Sound Archive, Australia |publisher=Nfsa.gov.au |access-date=30 April 2012}}</ref>

===1993–2000: Continued success===
At the 1993 ARIA Awards, Yothu Yindi won 'Best Video', Burrundi Pictures Michael Wyatt and Stephen Johnson, directed by [[Stephen Maxwell Johnson]], and 'Best Indigenous Release' for "[[Djäpana|Djäpana (Sunset Dreaming)]]" and 'Engineer of the Year' for Greg Henderson's work on "Djäpana" and "Tribal Voice".<ref name="ARIAlist"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-year.php?year=1993 |title=1993: 7th Annual ARIA Awards |publisher=[[ARIA Music Awards]] |access-date=8 November 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927120818/http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-year.php?year=1993 |archive-date=27 September 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

Yothu Yindi's third album ''[[Freedom (Yothu Yindi album)|Freedom]]'' was released in November 1993, the line-up included Mandawuy, Gurrumul, Makuna and Mangatjay Yunupingu, Marika, Williams, Kellaway, Benjamin and Munumggurr; and new members [[Banula Marika]] on vocals and dance, Bunimburr Marika on ''yidaki'', Natalie Gillespie on vocals, Jodie Cockatoo Creed on vocals and clan leader Galarrwuy Yunupingu on ''bilma'' and vocals.<ref name="McF"/> After intense touring in 1994, Williams left Yothu Yindi and was replaced by Colin Simpson on guitar, they added Ben Hakalitz (ex-[[Not Drowning Waving]]) on drums and Baruka Tau-Matagu on keyboards. Gurrumul Yunupingu had left by 1995 to live full-time on [[Elcho Island]], he later formed [[Saltwater Band]] to record three albums, and in 2008 released [[Gurrumul|his self-titled solo album]].<ref name="Howl"/> Yothu Yindi's fourth album ''[[Birrkuta – Wild Honey|Birrkuta]]'' (''birrkuta'' means wild honey) was released in August 1996.<ref name="McF"/>

"[[I Am Australian]]" is a popular song written in 1987 by [[Dobe Newton]] of [[The Bushwackers (band)|The Bushwackers]] and [[Bruce Woodley]] of [[The Seekers]].<ref name="APRA IAmAustralian">{{cite web|title="I Am Australian" at APRA search engine |url=http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/worksearch.axd?q=I%20Am%20Australian |publisher=Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) |access-date=8 November 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090512133635/http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/worksearch.axd?q=I%20Am%20Australian |archive-date=12 May 2009 |df=dmy }}</ref> It was released as a single in 1997 by trio [[Judith Durham]] of The Seekers, [[Russell Hitchcock]] from [[Air Supply]] and Yothu Yindi's [[Mandawuy Yunupingu]] by [[EMI]] Australia and it peaked at No.&nbsp;17 on the ARIA Singles Charts in June.<ref name="IAmAustralianCharts">{{cite web|url=http://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?key=281435&cat=s |title="I Am Australian" charting history |publisher=Australian Charts Portal |access-date=8 November 2008 }}</ref>

Yothu Yindi's fifth album ''[[One Blood (Yothu Yindi album)|One Blood]]'' was released in 1999 and included "Treaty '98".<ref name="McF"/> They sponsored the Yothu Yindi Foundation, which produces the annual [[Garma Festival of Traditional Cultures]] celebrating Yolngu culture from 1999,<ref name="YYF"/> and their sixth album ''[[Garma (album)|Garma]]'' was released in 2000,<ref name="Howl"/> with Cal Williams returning on guitars.<ref name="Band">{{cite web |url=http://www.yothuyindi.com/theband.html |title=Yothu Yindi: A band with a vision |access-date=6 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081112031714/http://www.yothuyindi.com/theband.html |archive-date=12 November 2008 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In 2000, Yothu Yindi performed at the closing ceremony of the [[2000 Summer Olympics|Sydney Olympic Games]].<ref name="Howl"/>

On 9 August 2000, 30-year-old Betsy Yunupingu was kicked in the head. She subsequently died, Yothu Yindi band member Gavin Makuma Yunupingu was found guilty of "committing a dangerous act causing death" and in June 2002 he was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment at [[Berrimah Jail]], [[Darwin, Northern Territory|Darwin]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-51989150.html |title=NLC chairman's son denies murder|publisher=AAP General News (Australia) |last=McGuirk |first=Rod |date=11 April 2002 |access-date=6 November 2008 }}{{dead link|date=February 2019|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref name="Jury">{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200204/s535032.htm |title=Jury finds Yunupingu not guilty of woman's murder |publisher=ABC News Online |date=18 April 2002 |access-date=6 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090512101116/http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200204/s535032.htm |archive-date=12 May 2009 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="Jailed">{{cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/06/24/1023864547058.html |title=Yunupingu's son jailed for killing |newspaper=[[The Age]] |date=24 June 2002 |access-date=6 November 2008 |location=Melbourne}}</ref> Gavin is the son of Galarrwuy and nephew of Mandawuy.<ref name="Jury"/><ref name="Jailed"/>

===2001–2020===
In May 2001 the [[Australasian Performing Right Association|Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA)]], as part of its 75th-anniversary celebrations, named "Treaty" as one of the [[APRA Top 30 Australian songs|Top 30 Australian songs]] of all time.<ref name="APRA2001"/><ref name="Kruger">{{cite web |url=http://www.debbiekruger.com/pdfs/aprathirty.pdf |last=Kruger |first=Debbie |title=The songs that resonate through the years |publisher=Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) |date=2 May 2001 |access-date=31 October 2008 }}</ref> In 2003 Yothu Yindi toured through Northern Territory schools with Mandawuy Yunupingu, ''yidaki'' players Gapanbulu Yunupingu and Nicky Yunupingu, and Kellaway using songs, storytelling and open discussions to inspire and encourage some of Australia's most vulnerable young people to attend school and stay healthy. The Yothu Yindi Foundation in May 2007 established the Dilthan Yolngunha (Healing Place) using traditional healing practices and mainstream medicines.<ref name="YYF"/><ref name="Heal"/> On 23 July 2008 a 23-year-old woman was stabbed numerous times; "yidaki" player N. Yunupingu, who was described by Northern Territory police as the offender, was later found dead by hanging.<ref name="NYunupingu">{{cite news |url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,,24101291-5012980,00.html |title=Nicky Yunupingu found dead after stabbing incident |newspaper=[[The Courier-Mail]] |date=30 July 2008 |access-date=6 November 2008 }}</ref> N. Yunupingu was the nephew of both Galarrwuy and Mandawuy Yunupingu, and, as members of Yothu Yindi, they had just played a concert for Prime Minister [[Kevin Rudd]] some hours before the stabbing of the woman, who was admitted to hospital, and N. Yunupingu's subsequent death.<ref name="NYunupingu"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.watoday.com.au/national/celebration-spirals-into-tragedy-20080729-3mv4.html?page=-1 |title=Celebration spirals into tragedy |last=Murdoch |first=Lindsay |date=29 July 2008 |access-date=6 November 2008 }}</ref>

In 2009, News.com.au reported that Yothu Yindi lead singer Mandawuy Yunupingu needed a kidney transplant. Yunupingu said he drank up to four cartons of alcohol a day. "Alcohol was a big influence in my life. I didn't know what harm it did to my body. Before I knew, it was too late," he said.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.news.com.au/drink-puts-yothu-yindi-star-mandawuy-yunupingu-on-the-brink/story-e6frfmq9-1225787959399 | work=The Sunday Telegraph | title=Drink puts Yothu Yindi star Mandawuy Yunupingu on the brink | date=18 October 2009}}</ref>

At the [[ARIA Music Awards of 2012]], Yothu Yindi were inducted into the [[ARIA Hall of Fame]], with [[Peter Garrett]] (then a former member of [[Midnight Oil]]) and [[Paul Kelly (Australian musician)|Paul Kelly]] introducing the group.<ref name="ARIAHoF">{{cite web | url = http://www.aria.com.au/pages/hall-of-fame.htm | title = ARIA Icons, Hall of Fame | publisher = [[Australian Recording Industry Association]] (ARIA) | access-date = 6 June 2013 }}</ref><ref name="McCabe">{{cite news | url = http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/yothu-yindi-to-be-inducted-into-aria-hall-of-fame/story-e6frfn09-1226504277133 | title = Yothu Yindi to be inducted into ARIA Hall of Fame | last = McCabe | first = Kathy | publisher = [[News Limited]] ([[News Corporation (1980–2013)|News Corporation]]) | date = 26 October 2012 | access-date = 6 June 2013 }}</ref><ref name="Middleton">{{cite news | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-11-30/yothu-yindi-inducted-into-the-aria-hall-of-fame/4402278 | title = Yothu Yindi Inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame | last = Middleton | first = Alison | work = [[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] | publisher = [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] (ABC) | date = 30 November 2012 | access-date = 6 June 2013 }}</ref>

ARIA chairman and CEO of Sony Music Entertainment Australia and New Zealand, [[Denis Handlin]] said "On behalf of the ARIA Board it is with great honour that we induct Yothu Yindi into the ARIA Hall of Fame. Yothu Yindi created a special place in the Nation's heart through their passionate and ground breaking music. Their achievements remain a lasting heritage in both our community and overseas and we look forward to celebrating their induction at the ARIAs in is what is sure to be a magic moment".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.noise11.com/news/yothu-yindi-announced-as-2012-aria-hall-of-fame-inductee-20121027|title=Yothu Yindi Announced as 2012 ARIA Hall of Fame Inductee|website=noise11|date=27 October 2012|access-date=29 July 2020}}</ref> The group were joined by Garrett, Kelly, [[Jessica Mauboy]] and [[Dan Sultan]] to perform "Treaty" at the ceremony.<ref name="Condon">{{cite web | url = https://www.abc.net.au/doublej/music-reads/features/aria-awards-musical-highlights/11738898 | title = 7 Great Performances from the History of the ARIA Awards – Music Reads | last = Condon | first = Dan | publisher = [[Double J (radio station)|Double J]] | date = 26 November 2019 | access-date = 24 December 2020 }}</ref> In 2019 [[Double J (radio station)|Double J]]"s Dan Condon described this as one of "7 great performances from the history of the ARIA Awards."<ref name="Condon"/>

The "best of" compilation, ''[[Healing Stone (The Best of Yothu Yindi)]]'', was released in November 2012 which included the new track "Healing Stone", produced by [[Andrew Farriss]] of INXS.

On 2 June 2013 lead singer M. Yunupingu died of [[renal failure]].<ref name="ABC News">{{cite news| url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-03/former-yothu-yindi-frontman-m-yunupingu-dies/4728518 | work = [[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] | publisher = [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] (ABC) | title=Yothu Yindi frontman Yunupingu dies aged 56 | date = 6 June 2013 | access-date = 6 June 2013 }}</ref> In line with Yolngu cultural protocols, on 4 June 2013 the family requested that the first names of the deceased no longer be used until further notice.<ref name="YothuYindi">{{cite web|title=Yunupingu Family Statement|url=http://www.yothuyindi.com/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140528073438/http://www.yothuyindi.com/|archive-date=28 May 2014|access-date=27 June 2014|publisher=Yothu Yindi|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

In 2015 they collaborated with rock-reggae band [[East Journey]] on a project called The Genesis Project, which included an [[extended play|EP]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/au/album/the-genesis-project/962641014|title=The Genesis Project (DD)|website=Apple Music|date=February 2015 | access-date=17 January 2022}}</ref> and a performance at the [[National Indigenous Music Awards 2015]].<ref>{{cite web | title=PJ White from East Journey and Banula Marika from Yothu Yindi | website=ABC News |format=Photo| date=24 July 2015 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-24/pj-white-from-east-journey-and-banula-marika-from-yothu-yindi/6647388 | access-date=17 January 2022| quote=PJ White from East Journey and Banula Marika from Yothu Yindi rehearsing before National Indigenous Music Awards 2015.| first=Felicity| last=James}}</ref>

====Yothu Yindi and The Treaty Project====
In 2017, inspired by the 25th anniversary remix of "[[Treaty (Filthy Lucre remix)]]",<ref name=razor/> some of the original members of Yothu Yindi, along with several new artists, created an [[electronica]] project entitled Yothu Yindi & The Treaty Project (YYATTP<ref name=musicfeeds>{{cite web | title=DJ Gavin Campbell On Bringing Yothu Yindi's 'Treaty' Message To A Younger Generation | website=Music Feeds | date=4 September 2018 | url=https://musicfeeds.com.au/features/yothu-yindi/ | access-date=17 January 2022}}</ref>). Longtime members Witiyana Marika, Malngay Yunupingu and Stuart Kellaway were joined by blues singer [[Yirrmal]] (Marika's son), vocalists Yirrnga Yunupingu and Constantina Bush (aka Kamahi Djordon King), multi-instrumentalist Ania Reynolds (director of [[Circus Oz]]) and guitarist Megan Bernard,<ref name=themusic/> while the [[Filthy Lucre (music producer)|Filthy Lucre]] duo Nick Coleman and [[Gavin Campbell (music producer)|Gavin Campbell]] worked on [[mix (music)|mixing]] and production.<ref name=mabo2019/>

The group played on [[ABC Radio Melbourne|ABC Radio's ''The Friday Revue'']] and at the [[Homeground]] festival at the [[Sydney Opera House]], which celebrates Indigenous culture (November 2017<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.facebook.com/YothuYindiTreatyProject/videos/2327742277480534 |format= Video| website= Facebook| title=Yothu Yindi & The Treaty Project was live: Homeground Festival| date= 26 November 2017}}</ref>), and created a [[hip hop music|hip hop]] version of ''Treaty'' with [[Baker Boy]]. Inn January 2018 they were booked to play at the [[Enmore Theatre]] with [[The Herd (Australian band)|The Herd]].<ref name=themusic>{{ cite web| url=https://themusic.com.au/features/yothu-yindi-and-the-treaty-project-stuart-kellaway-yirrmal-cyclone/oFCzsrW0t7Y/23-11-17/ |title=Mixing EDM & Manikay To Touch The Heart Of The Country| date= 23 November 2017| website=The Music| access-date=17 January 2022}}</ref> They also played [[Strawberry Fields Festival]], [[Queenscliff Music Festival]] at the opening night of the [[Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games]],<ref name=razor>{{cite web | title=Yothu Yindi and the Treaty Project | website=Razor Recording | url=https://www.razorrecordings.com/yothu-yindi-and-the-treaty-project.html | access-date=17 January 2022}}</ref> continuing live performances into at least March 2019, including a tour to New Zealand,<ref>{{youTube|b4ioTBkpY0s|Treaty – Yothu Yindi & The Treaty Project (Live)}} (29 April 2019) "Filmed live across Australia and New Zealand, between November 2017 and March 2019."</ref><ref name=musicfeeds/> playing on [[Waitangi Day]] 2019 in [[Auckland]].<ref name=mabo2019/>

The group have been described as a "fluid collective", with other musicians quite often joining them on stage. [[Shane Howard]], frontman of the band [[Goanna (band)|Goanna]], has regularly played with them.<ref name=musicfeeds/> They released the Yothu Yindi song "Mabo" for the first time as a single in April 2019.<ref name=mabo2019>{{cite web | title=Yothu Yindi & The Treaty Project – Mabo | website=Daily Play MPE | date=24 April 2019 | url=https://daily.plaympe.com/yothu-yindi-the-treaty-project-mabo/ | access-date=17 January 2022}}</ref>

===2021–present===
On 26 June 2021, Yothu Yindi played at the [[Yarrapay Festival]], which was directed by Witiyana Marika, at [[Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre|Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Art Centre]] in [[Yirrkala]], along with the [[Andrew Gurruwiwi|Andrew Gurruwiwi Band]], Yirrmal, and [[East Journey]].<ref>{{cite web| url=https://static1.squarespace.com/static/57c4ec18440243c931263a37/t/61de390dc724e10f0660f906/1641953617648/Rirratjingu+Aboriginal+Corporation+Annual+Report+20%EF%80%A221+FINAL+DK.pdf| page=15| author=Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporation| title=Annual Report 2021–2021| access-date=17 January 2022}}{{Dead link|date=October 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref>

In August 2023, Yothu Yindi were inducted into the NIMAs ([[National Indigenous Music Awards 2023|National Indigenous Music Awards]]) Hall of Fame for their trailblazing contribution to Indigenous music and the rights of First Nations people.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Morgan |first=Thomas |date=2023-08-12 |title=Budjerah wins Artist of the Year at star-studded 2023 National Indigenous Music Awards |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-13/nt-nimas-winners-budjerah/102718162 |access-date=2023-08-15}}</ref><ref name=rangiah2023>{{cite web | last=Rangiah | first=Lillian | title=As Yothu Yindi is inducted into the NIMA Hall of Fame, here's a look back on the group's history and legacy | website=[[ABC News (Australia)]] | date=12 August 2023 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-12/nt-yothu-yindi-hall-of-fame/102717896 | access-date=16 August 2023}}</ref>

==Members==
Arranged alphabetically:<ref name="McF"/><ref name="ARDb"/><ref name="Howl"/>
{{divcol|colwidth=25em}}
*Andrew Belletty &nbsp;– drums
*Hughie Benjamin &nbsp;– drums
*Jodie Cockatoo Creed &nbsp;– vocals
*Matt Cunliffe &nbsp;– keyboards
*Sophie Garrkali &nbsp;– dancer
*Natalie Gillespie &nbsp;– vocals
*Julie Gungunbuy &nbsp;– dancer
*Ben Hakalitz &nbsp;– drums
*Robbie James &nbsp;– guitar
*Stuart Kellaway &nbsp;– bass guitar
*[[Banula Marika]] &nbsp;– vocals, dance
*Bunimburr Marika &nbsp;– yidaki ([[didgeridoo]])
*[[Witiyana Marika]] &nbsp;– manikay (traditional vocals), bilma (ironwood [[clapstick]]s), dancer
*Milkayngu Mununggurr &nbsp;– yidaki
*Tom Neil &nbsp;– harmonica/[[Triangle (musical instrument)|triangle player]]
*Buruka Tau-Matagu &nbsp;– keyboards
*Cal Williams &nbsp;– guitar
*[[Bart Willoughby]] &nbsp;– drums
*[[Galarrwuy Yunupiŋu]] &nbsp;– vocals, bilma, guitar (died 2023)
*Gapanbulu Yunupiŋu &nbsp;– yidaki
*Gavin Makuma Yunupiŋu &nbsp;– yidaki, bilma, vocals
*[[Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupiŋu]] &nbsp;– keyboards, guitar, percussion, yidaki, vocals (died 2017)
*[[Mandawuy Yunupiŋu]] &nbsp;– singer-songwriter, guitar (died 2013)
*Malngay Kevin Yunupiŋu &nbsp;– yidaki, bilma, dancer, vocals
*Mangatjay Yunupiŋu &nbsp;– dancer
*Narripapa Nicky Yunupiŋu &nbsp;– yidaki, dancer (died 2008)
{{divcol end}}

==Collaborations and impact==
Many other musicians apart from Paul Kelly have collaborated or performed with Yothu Yindi, including [[Jimmy Barnes]], [[Billy Thorpe]], members of the [[Grateful Dead]],<ref name=rangiah2023/> [[Midnight Oil]], [[Neil Young]], [[Santana (band)|Santana]],<ref>{{cite web | title=About | website=Yothu Yindi | url=https://www.yothuyindi.com.au/about-1 | access-date=16 August 2023}}</ref> and [[Emma Donovan]].<ref>{{cite web | last=Times | first=National Indigenous | title=Australia's most revered, iconic band takes the stage in South Australia | website=[[National Indigenous Times]] | date=8 July 2023 | url=https://nit.com.au/08-07-2023/6712/australias-most-revered-iconic-band-takes-the-stage-in-south-australia | access-date=16 August 2023}}</ref>

Dhapanbal Yunupiŋu, daughter of Mandawuy Yunupiŋu, is a singer-songwriter, who credits the band with providing inspiration to many young Yolngu musicians. Among these are the band [[King Stingray]], whose line-up includes Mandawuy's nephew, Yirrŋa Yunupingu, as lead vocalist, and Stuart Kellaway's son Roy Kellaway on guitar.<ref name=rangiah2023/>

==Discography==
===Studio albums===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
|+ List of studio albums with chart positions
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:11em;"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:18em;"| Details
! scope="col" colspan="1" | Peak chart positions
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:17em;"| Certifications
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | [[ARIA Charts|AUS]]<br><ref name="AusCharts"/>
|-
! scope="row"| ''[[Homeland Movement (album)|Homeland Movement]]''
|
* Released: 1989
* Label: [[Mushroom Records|Mushroom]] <small>(D19520)</small>
* Format: LP, CD, Cassette
| 59
|
|-
! scope="row"| ''[[Tribal Voice]]''
|
* Released: September 1991
* Label: Mushroom <small>(D30602)</small>
* Format: CD, Cassette
| 4
|
* [[Australian Recording Industry Association|ARIA]]: 2× Platinum<ref name="AusCharts"/>
|-
! scope="row"| ''[[Freedom (Yothu Yindi album)|Freedom]]''
|
* Released: November 1993
* Label: Mushroom <small>(D93380)</small>
* Format: CD, Cassette
| 31
|
|-
! scope="row"| ''[[Birrkuta – Wild Honey]]''
|
* Released: November 1996
* Label: Mushroom <small>(D93461)</small>
* Format: CD
| 92
|
|-
! scope="row"| ''[[One Blood (Yothu Yindi album)|One Blood]]''
|
* Released: July 1998
* Label: Mushroom <small>(MUSH33229 2)</small>
* Format: CD
| 43
|
|-
! scope="row"| ''[[Garma (album)|Garma]]''
|
* Released: August 2000
* Label: Mushroom <small>(MUSH33282 2)</small>
* Format: CD
| 66
|
|}

===Compilation albums===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
|+ List of compilation albums with chart positions
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:17em;"| Details
! scope="col" colspan="1" | Peak chart positions
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | [[ARIA Charts|AUS]]<br><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.auspop.com.au/2012/12/chart-watch-110/|title=ARIA Chart Watch 110|website=auspOp|date=8 December 2012|access-date=29 July 2020|archive-date=29 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729061051/https://www.auspop.com.au/2012/12/chart-watch-110/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| ''[[Healing Stone (The Best of Yothu Yindi)]]''
|
* Released: November 2012
* Label: [[Festival Records|Festival]] <small>(LMCD0212)</small>
* Format: CD, CD+DVD, digital download
| 88
|}

===Extended plays===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
|+ List of EPs
! Title
! Details
|-
! scope="row"| ''The Genesis Project'' <br> ([[East Journey]] featuring Yothu Yindi) 
|
* Released: February 2015<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/au/album/the-genesis-project/962641014|title=The Genesis Project (DD)|website=Apple Music|date=February 2015 |access-date=11 August 2020}}</ref>
* Label: East Journey
* Format: Digital download
|}

===Singles===
{| class="wikitable"
!rowspan="2"|Year
!rowspan="2"|Single
!colspan="7"|Chart positions
!rowspan="2"|Certifications
!rowspan="2"|Album
|-
!width="40"|<small>[[ARIA Charts|AUS]]</small><br /><ref>
* "Mainstream": {{Cite web |url=https://www.bubblingdownunder.com/2020/05/week-commencing-1-may-1989.html |title=Bubbling Down Under Week commencing 1 May 1989|date=1 May 2020|access-date=3 June 2021}}
* "Djapäna" and "Treaty": {{Cite web |url=http://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Yothu+Yindi |title=Australian Charts Portal – Yothu Yindi |publisher=Hung Medien |access-date=6 June 2018 |df=dmy }}
* "Tribal Voice" & "World Turning": {{cite book|last=Ryan|first=Gavin|title=Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010|year=2011|publisher=Moonlight Publishing|location=Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia|page=307}}
* "Community Life": {{Cite web |url=http://australian-charts.com/forum.asp?todo=viewthread&id=33366&pages=8 |title=Australian Charts Portal – Top Singles of 2000 |publisher=Hung Medien |access-date=8 June 2018 |df=dmy }}</ref><ref name="aus2">{{cite web|url=https://imgur.com/a/Ew0Miuu| title=Yothu Yindi ARIA singles chart history 1993–2000, received from ARIA in May 2024|publisher=ARIA|via=Imgur.com|access-date=5 July 2024}} N.B. The High Point number in the NAT column represents the release's peak on the national chart.</ref>
!width="40"|<small>[[Ultratop|BEL (FL)]]</small><br /><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Yothu+Yindi |title=Ultratop Yothu Yindi |publisher=Hung Medien |access-date=6 June 2018 |df=dmy }}</ref>
!width="40"|<small>[[GfK Entertainment charts|GER]]</small><br /><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Peter+Maffay+%26+Yothu+Yindi&titel=Tribal+Voice&cat=s |title=Australian Charts Portal – Yothu Yindi – Tribal Voice |publisher=Hung Medien |access-date=6 June 2018 |df=dmy }}</ref>
!width="40"|<small>[[Dutch Single Top 100|NL]]</small><br /><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Yothu+Yindi&titel=Treaty&cat=s |title=Dutch Charts – Yothu Yindi – Treaty |publisher=Hung Medien |access-date=6 June 2018 |df=dmy }}</ref>
!width="40"|<small>[[Swiss Hitparade|SWI]]</small><br /><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://hitparade.ch/song/Yothu-Yindi/Treaty-2450 |title=Schweizer Hitparade – Yothu Yindi – Treaty |publisher=Hung Medien |access-date=6 June 2018 |df=dmy }}</ref>
!width="40"|<small>[[UK Singles Chart|UK]]</small><br /><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/27388/yothu-yindi/ |title=Yothu Yindi |publisher=[[Official Charts Company]] |access-date=6 June 2018 |df=dmy }}</ref>
!width="40"|<small>[[Dance Club Songs|US Dance]]</small><br /><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/yothu-yindi |title=Yothu Yindi Chart history |magazine=Billboard |access-date=6 June 2018 |df=dmy }}</ref>
|-
|align="center" rowspan="2"|1989
|align="left"|"Mainstream"
|align="center"|115
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|
|align="left" rowspan="2"|''[[Homeland Movement (single)|Homeland Movement]]''
|-
|align="left"|"[[Djäpana|Djäpana (Sunset Dreaming)]]"
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|
|-
|align="center"|1991
|align="left"|"[[Treaty (song)|Treaty (Filthy Lucre remix)]]"
|align="center"|11
|align="center"|9
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|29
|align="center"|33
|align="center"|72
|align="center"|6
|
* ARIA: Gold<ref name="ARIA Full Accreditations List">{{Cite web |url=http://www.australian-charts.com/forum.asp?todo=viewthread&id=40595 |title=ARIA Full Accreditations List |publisher=Hung Medien, [[ARIA]] |access-date=8 June 2018 |df=dmy }}</ref>
|align="left" rowspan="3"|''[[Tribal Voice]]''
|-
|align="center" rowspan="2"|1992
|align="left"|"Djäpana (Sunset Dreaming)" <br> (remix)
|align="center"|13
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|27
|
* ARIA: Gold<ref name="ARIA Full Accreditations List"/>
|-
|align="left"|"[[Tribal Voice (song)|Tribal Voice]]"
|align="center"|51
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|
|-
|align="center"|1993
|align="left"|"[[World Turning (Yothu Yindi song)|World Turning]]"
|align="center"|56
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|
|align="left" rowspan="3"|''[[Freedom (Yothu Yindi album)|Freedom]]''
|-
|align="center" rowspan="2"|1994
|align="left"|"Timeless Land"
|align="center"|148
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|
|-
|align="left"|"Dots on the Shells" {{small|(with [[Neil Finn]])}}
|align="center"|141
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|
|-
|align="center"|1996
|align="left"|"Superhighway"
|align="center"|138
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|
|align="left"|''[[Birrkuta – Wild Honey]]''
|-
|align="center" rowspan="2"|1998
|align="left"|"Treaty 98" <small>(with [[Peter Maffay]])</small>
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|44
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|
|align="left" rowspan="2"|''[[One Blood (Yothu Yindi album)|One Blood]]''
|-
|align="left"|"Mainstream" <small>(featuring Liam Ó Maonlaí)</small>
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|
|-
|align="center" rowspan="2"|2000
|align="left"|"Community Life"
|align="center"|99
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|
|align="left" rowspan="2"|''[[Garma (album)|Garma]]''
|-
|align="left"|"Romance at Garma"
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|
|-
|align="center"|2012
|align="left"|"Healing Stone"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtvqjOR070o |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/VtvqjOR070o| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|title=Yothu Yindi – Healing Stone|via=YouTube|date=September 2012|access-date=29 July 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|
|align="left"|''[[Healing Stone (The Best of Yothu Yindi)]]''
|-
|align="center"|2015
|align="left"|"Ngarrpiya (Octopus)"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/au/album/ngarrpiya-octopus-feat-yothu-yindi-single/994403138|title=Ngarrpiya (Octopus) – single|website=Apple Music|date=May 2015|access-date=11 August 2020}}</ref> {{small|(with [[East Journey]])}}
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|
|align="left"| ''The Genesis Project''
|-
|align="center"|2018
|align="left"|"Treaty '18" {{small|(Yothu Yindi & [[Gavin Campbell (music producer)|Gavin Campbell]] featuring [[Baker Boy]])}}
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|align="center"|—
|
|align="left" {{n/a|non-album single}}
|-
|align="center" colspan="11" style="font-size: 8pt"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart.
|}

==Awards==
* 1991&nbsp;– [[Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission]] Songwriting Award for "Treaty".<ref name="human2">{{cite web |title= 1991 Human Rights Medal and Awards |publisher= [[Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission]] |url= http://www.hreoc.gov.au/hr_awards/1991.html |access-date= 11 August 2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070929083007/http://www.hreoc.gov.au/hr_awards/1991.html |archive-date= 29 September 2007 |url-status= dead |df= dmy-all }}</ref>

===ARIA Awards===
Yothu Yindi has won eight [[Australian Recording Industry Association]] (ARIA) [[ARIA Music Awards|Music Awards]] from 14 nominations.<ref name="ARIAAwardList">{{cite web|url=http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-artist.php?letter=Y&artist=Yothu%20Yindi |title=ARIA Awards 2009 : History: Winners by Artist: Yothu Yindi |publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association]] (ARIA) |access-date=2 December 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100604083846/http://ariaawards.com.au/history-by-artist.php?letter=Y&artist=Yothu%20Yindi |archive-date=4 June 2010 |df=dmy }}</ref><ref name="ARIA1992">{{cite web|url=http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-year.php?year=1992 |title=ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 1992: 6th Annual ARIA Awards |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) |access-date=2 December 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927120947/http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-year.php?year=1992 |archive-date=27 September 2011 }}</ref><ref name="ARIA1993">{{cite web|url=http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-year.php?year=1993|title=ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 1993: 7th Annual ARIA Awards|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA)|access-date=2 December 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927120818/http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-year.php?year=1993|archive-date=27 September 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="ARIA1994">{{cite web|url=http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-year.php?year=1994|title=ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 1994: 8th Annual ARIA Awards|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA)|access-date=2 December 2009}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name="ARIA1995">{{cite web|url=http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-year.php?year=1995 |title=ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 1995: 9th Annual ARIA Awards |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) |access-date=2 December 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110519015323/http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-year.php?year=1995 |archive-date=19 May 2011 }}</ref><ref name="ARIA1997">{{cite web|url=http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-year.php?year=1997 |title=ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 1997: 11th Annual ARIA Awards |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) |access-date=2 December 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926235734/http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-year.php?year=1997 |archive-date=26 September 2007 }}</ref> In 2012 they were inducted into the [[ARIA Hall of Fame]].<ref name="ARIAHoF"/>

{{awards table}}
|-
| | [[ARIA Music Awards of 1990|1990]] || ''[[Homeland Movement (album)|Homeland Movement]]'' || Best Indigenous Release || {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="6"| [[ARIA Music Awards of 1992|1992]] || Louise Beach / Mushroom Art – ''[[Tribal Voice]]'' || Best Cover Art || {{won}} 
|-
| | ''[[Tribal Voice]]'' || Best Indigenous Release || {{won}} 
|-
| rowspan="2"| "Treaty (Filthy Lucre Remix)" || Best Video || {{nom}} 
|-
| | Single of the Year || {{won}} 
|-
| | "Treaty" || Song of the Year || {{won}} 
|-
| | David Price, Ted Howard, Greg Henderson, Simon Polinski <br> (for "Maralitja", "Dharpa", "Treaty", "Treaty (Filthy Lucre Remix)", "Tribal Voice") || [[ARIA Award for Engineer of the Year|Engineer of the Year]] || {{won}} 
|-
| rowspan="3"| [[ARIA Music Awards of 1993|1993]] || "Djapana" || Best Indigenous Release || {{won}} 
|-
| | [[Stephen Maxwell Johnson]] – "Djapana" || Best Video || {{won}} 
|-
| | Greg Henderson – "Djapana", "Tribal Voice" || Engineer of the Year || {{won}} 
|-
| | [[ARIA Music Awards of 1994|1994]] || ''[[Freedom (Yothu Yindi album)|Freedom]]'' || Best Indigenous Release || {{nom}} 
|-
| | [[ARIA Music Awards of 1995|1995]] || "Dots on the Shells" (with Neil Finn) || Best Indigenous Release || {{nom}} 
|-
| | [[ARIA Music Awards of 1997|1997]] || ''[[Birrkuta – Wild Honey]]'' || Best Indigenous Release || {{nom}} 
|-
| | [[ARIA Music Awards of 2012|2012]] || Yothu Yindi || [[ARIA Hall of Fame]] || {{yes2|inductee}} 
{{end}}

===Deadly Awards===
[[The Deadly Awards]], (commonly known simply as The Deadlys), was an annual celebration of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander achievement in music, sport, entertainment and community. They ran from 1996 to 2013.
{{awards table}}
|-
| [[Deadly Awards 1997|1997]]
| themselves
| Band of the Year
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Deadly Awards 1999|1999]]
| themselves
| Band of the Year
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Deadly Awards 2000|2000]]
| ''Garma''
| Album of the Year
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Deadly Awards 2001|2001]]
| ''Yolngu Boy'' {{small|(with [[Mark Ovenden (composer)|Mark Ovenden]])}}
| Excellence in Film or Theatrical Score
| {{won}}
|-
{{end}}

===National Indigenous Music Awards===
The [[National Indigenous Music Awards]] recognise excellence, innovation and leadership among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians from throughout Australia. They commenced in 2004.

{{Awards table}}
! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| [[National Indigenous Music Awards 2023|2023]]
| Yothu Yindi
| Hall of Fame
| {{yes2|inducted}}
|<ref name="HoFNIMA">{{cite web|url=https://themusic.com.au/news/yothu-yindi-to-be-inducted-into-the-nima-hall-of-fame/0edvxcTHxsk/07-08-23|title= Yothu Yindi To Be Inducted Into The NIMA Hall Of Fame|website=[[The Music (magazine)|The Music]]|date= 7 August 2023|access-date= 7 August 2023}}</ref>
|}

===National Live Music Awards===
The [[National Live Music Awards]] (NLMAs) commenced in 2016 to recognise contributions to the live music industry in Australia.

{{Awards table}}
! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
! scope="row"| [[National Live Music Awards of 2023|2023]]
| Yothu Yindi
| Live Legend Recipient
| {{yes2|awarded}}
|<ref name="2023noms">{{cite web|url=https://themusic.com.au/industry/nominees-announced-for-the-2023-national-live-music-awards/SrrwXF9eQUA/05-09-23/|title=Nominees Announced For The 2023 National Live Music Awards|website=[[The Music (magazine)|The Music]]|date=5 September 2023|accessdate=11 September 2023}}</ref>
|}

===Mo Awards===
The Australian Entertainment Mo Awards (commonly known informally as the [[Mo Awards]]), were annual Australian entertainment industry awards. They recognise achievements in live entertainment in Australia from 1975 to 2016. Yothu Yindi won three awards in that time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.moawards.com.au/awardwinners|title=MO Award Winners|website=Mo Awards|access-date=16 March 2022|archive-date=11 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811130738/https://www.moawards.com.au/awardwinners|url-status=dead}}</ref>
{{awards table}} (wins only)
|-
|rowspan="3"| 1992
|rowspan="3"| Yothu Yindi
| Rock Performer of the Year
| {{won}}
|-
| Australian Performer of the Year
| {{won}}
|-
| Australian Showbusiness Ambassador 
| {{won}}
{{end}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website|https://www.yothuyindi.com.au}}

{{Yothu Yindi}}
{{Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu}}
{{ARIA Award for Single of the Year 1990s}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:APRA Award winners]]
[[Category:ARIA Award winners]]
[[Category:Indigenous Australian musical groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups from the Northern Territory]]
[[Category:Yolngu]]
[[Category:ARIA Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1986]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2013]]
[[Category:1986 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:2013 disestablishments in Australia]]
[[Category:Mushroom Records artists]]