Queen of Roebourne: Tributes flow for respected Yindjibarndi elder and Ieramugadu leader

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this story contains the name and image of a deceased Indigenous person. People from across Australia are coming together in northern WA to honour the life and legacy of a deeply respected senior Aboriginal elder and family matriarch, who passed away last week. A revered Yindjibarndi elder, cultural leader, artist and advocate, whose legacy spans generations, Tootsie Daniel was a cornerstone of her community and a fearless protector of Yindjibarndi and Ngarluma culture, language, and country. Born at Yarraloola Station near Pannawonica, Mrs Daniel grew up immersed in the traditions and teachings of her Old People. Her upbringing forged a profound connection to Yindjibarndi country that remained central to her identity and advocacy. Mrs Daniel settled in Roebourne (Ieramugadu) in 1970, dedicating her life to preserving culture, empowering her community and protecting country. Alongside her late husband, a Ngarluma elder, she was instrumental in founding the Ngarluma Yindjibarndi Foundation Ltd, a vital organisation that continues to support cultural preservation and community wellbeing. “She was a very warm and caring person,” NYFL chief executive Sean-Paul Stephens said. “There were a lot of people like me who had a very close relationship with her and were very lucky to know her.” Mrs Daniel’s life was marked by both profound joy and immense loss. She endured the heartbreaking deaths of multiple children and grandchildren, channelling her grief into creativity and advocacy. Her songwriting, painting, and storytelling became powerful expressions of her cultural heritage and personal healing, often performing at concerts in Ieramugadu. “She loved her family so much, and that extended across the community,” Mr Stephens said. “It was sort of like a celebrity was coming in the room when she entered a space. In her later years, when she was in a wheelchair, she would be wheeled into the room and sort of announce herself, ‘the Queen of Roebourne is here!’ and everyone would laugh.” Her ability to balance humour with the weight of important issues was unmatched. In leading discussions on First Nations rights to advocating for World Heritage listing of the Murujuga cultural landscape, she remained steadfast in her commitment to her people. Mrs Daniel’s activism spanned justice, health, and heritage, with her powerful testimony playing a pivotal role in the Yindjibarndi people’s landmark case for compensation over mining impacts on their country. She also played a key role in progressing the World Heritage nomination for Murujuga, carrying forward her husband’s legacy “She was fierce, and that’s laid a groundwork for the next generation to step up and continue the fight for First Nations rights and the protection of cultural heritage,” Mr Stephens said. “In meetings, she would point to the young people and say, ‘It’s your turn now, you’ve got to step up’, and I think the younger generations have now realised that. “So we’re excited to see the next generation fill those shoes, but they are very, very big shoes to fill.” Her advocacy for accessible renal healthcare in the Pilbara reflected her personal struggles with kidney disease. She was vocal about the challenges faced by First Nations people in remote areas, shedding light on systemic inequities. Though she did not live to see the opening of new dialysis chairs in Karratha, her efforts were instrumental in securing the investment. Beyond her achievements, Mrs Daniels was a deeply loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. In her later years, she often sat under the shade of a tree at her home, surrounded by her great-grandchildren. “Even towards the end of her life and less able to move around, she was always trying to give the little ones a cuddle and tell them that they were special and make sure that they knew they were loved,” Mr Stephens said. “She was immensely proud of all of the little ones.” Ngarda-ngarli (Aboriginal) grieving protocols are now under way, with hundreds of mourners making their way to Ieramugadu to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of the beloved Tootsie Daniel.