Last year at the 30th anniversary of the Barunga Statement, which was presented to then Prime Minister Bob Hawke, the NT Government and the NT's four Land Councils committed to paving the way for consultations to begin with Indigenous people about a Treaty.

"Bob Hawke made an announcement that there would be a treaty. But we are yet to see that treaty," longstanding Labor MP Warren Snowdon said.

Mr Snowdon was just one of the community leaders to address the hundreds of people at the official opening ceremony of the 2019 Barunga Festival, in the NT, yesterday.

He was joined by NT Minister for Indigenous Affairs Selena Uibo, Labor Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, deputy Mayor of Roper Gulf Regional Council Helen Lee, Treaty Commissioner Mick Dodson, chair of the Jawoyn Association Lisa Mumbin and newly appointed NLC CEO Marion Scrymgour.

"We need to understand there is a great deal of unfinished business," Mr Snowdon said.

"Barunga is part of our national story. [The festival] is not just a celebration of culture and sharing.

"I would like all of us to take away from here a yearning to see that product finished, so we can have a treaty with our First Australians, so we can have a voice."

Under the MoU, Katherine-born, former Australian of the Year, Professor Mick Dodson was appointed NT Treaty Commissioner.

In a short address, the Indigenous advocate said he had been visiting locations across the Territory since his appointment in March of this year.

Primarily talking to organisations at this stage, he made assurances community consultations would start next year.

"I'll be back this way, talking to people about what we do with this treaty business," he said.

About 4000 people hailing from all corners of the world made the dusty trip to the remote town of Barunga, about an hour drive from Katherine, for the annual three-day Barunga Festival.

First held in 1985, the festival highlights the best of Indigenous music, culture, art and sport.

Born and raised in the tiny Indigenous town of about 300 people, Whitney Brinjen said an important part of this year's festival was ensuring the Indigenous culture and language was kept alive and passed on to the younger generation - the theme this year celebrated Indigenous language.

Serving damper and tea to the masses, she said she was happy to see so many people turn out to engage with her culture.

"It is so good to see all of these people come to Barunga," she said.

"I grew up here, I went to school here, and I want people to see our culture, and share in our stories."

Indigenous languages are dying out across the world as major national languages take precedence.

The United Nations General Assembly declared 2019 as the International Year of Indigenous Languages, in a bid to preserve what is left - about 90 per cent of Indigenous Australian languages are endangered.

Traditional dancers of all ages, from across the Territory and Western Australia, assembles to share their culture with the festival attendees.

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