Matthew Palmer, from Corkwood Bore outstation near Alice Springs, has been elected chair of the Central Land Council (CLC).
At least 90 delegates met in Tennant Creek on Tuesday morning to decide the organisation's next leader, following the sudden death of former CLC chair Kunmanara Hoosan late last year.
Mr Palmer paid his respects to the late Mr Hoosan, who had held the position since April 2022.
"My brother will always be in my heart," Mr Palmer told land council delegates.
Mr Palmer, the former chair of Alice Springs native title representative body Lhere Artepe, used his maiden address to advocate for a First Nations Voice to Parliament.
"I want to put the voice of my people to the parliament. It's time for us to have a say in the laws and policies that affect us," he said.
"We've tried everything else — promises, petitions, marches — and nothing has closed the gap.
"I will campaign for a big yes vote in the referendum because when we are being heard we will achieve positive change on the ground, in Alice Springs and in the bush."
Mr Palmer is a former court interpreter and speaks Central Arrernte, Alyawarr and English who grew up in Santa Teresa (Ltyentye Apurte).
He has said he wants to use his new position to "talk up for better housing".
Yuendumu resident Warren Williams remains the CLC's deputy chair.
