Tributes are being made for the Northern Territory's first Aboriginal politician, Mr Tungatalum, who died of a heart attack at the age of 66 overnight.

Mr Tungatalum was a Country Liberal Party Member in the Territory's Legislative Council from 1974 to 1977.

Noel Padgham ran against Mr Tungatalum in the 1974 election.

She says he was an inspiration to other Aboriginal people.

"I think he was the forerunner of a lot of Aboriginal people going into politics because I think he was the first full-blood Aborigine to enter politics in Australia.

"And for the term that he was in, he represented the Tiwi people very well."

Mr Tungatalum was a senior traditional owner on the Tiwi Islands, north of Darwin.

He was the founding member of the Tiwi Land Council, formed in 1978.

He was also on a number of health and education boards.

Mr Tungatalum is survived by his wife Natalie and two sons.