Yiŋiya Guyula has been thanked for his advocacy for community, impact as a mentor and standing as the "voice of truth and wisdom" in Northern Territory Parliament following his resignation as the independent member for Mulka.

Mr Guyula announced on Wednesday morning his decision to end a decade as an MP representing East Arnhem Land with scathing criticism of recent legislation adoptions by the CLP Government.

In his statement, Mr Guyula argued the CLP Government "introduced too many laws that are dehumanising, oppressing and destroying our communities and our people".

"They have significantly failed Aboriginal people and their ongoing actions are contributing to the breakdown of our culture and people, in what is now becoming a slow genocide," he said.

"I no longer feel that I can be a part of the NT Parliament and sit opposite a government who are not willing to listen or form partnerships."

Mr Guyula said his decision did not come easily, and his attention would now turn to being a more present local leader for his community.

On Thursday, the Northern Land Council (NLC) wrote Mr Guyula's resignation "has shaken people right across the Northern Territory", adding they will continue to stand with a representative "who has fought tirelessly for Yolŋu and Aboriginal rights right across the Territory".

The Land Council said they were saddened by the decision, however, chair Matthew Ryan noted the reasons reflect the difficulties of working with the CLP Government which "has continuously attacked safeguards and rights of Aboriginal Territorians".

The NLC urged the Territory government to work with Aboriginal people.

"No matter who was in government, he persevered in holding the government of the day to account - for better housing, improved health and reliable transport services for people who live in one of the most remote parts of Australia," Mr Matthews said.

"His legacy will live on."

Similar sentiments have been shared from others.

The Central Land Council, politicians and parties from the NT, federal Senators and more have responded following Mr Guyula's decision.

Arnhem Land's Laynhapuy Homelands Aboriginal Corporation (LHAC) wrote it was saddened by Mr Guyula's decision, calling his resignation the loss of a "strong representative of the homelands and Yolngu" in Parliament.

"He has fought hard for our voices in the homelands, retained his character, culture, and connection," LHAC wrote.

"He is a true friend of Laynha and an activist for our people needs. Through his support we have achieved much but also feel Yiŋiya's frustration as some walls have not yet broken."

Fellow NT independent Justine Davis wrote: "For a decade he has stood for his people in the the Parliament with unwavering strength, integrity, grace and wisdom", while thanking Mr Guyula for his personal leadership, with the NT Greens also thanking him for serving as "a voice of truth and wisdom in NT Parliament and never stopping speaking up for justice".

Mr Guyula represented the seat of Mulka, previously known as Nhulunbuy, in East Arnhem Land since 2016.

Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy said "Yingiya Guyula is a man of great strength and leadership — for his Mulka electorate, for the Yolŋu people and for the deeply held sense of justice he carried with him in the Northern Territory Parliament."

Acting leader of the NT Labor opposition, Ed Smelt said, for almost a decade, "Yiŋiya has been a strong leader and advocate for his people, his culture and his country".

"He has used his place in the Legislative Assembly to stand up for the communities he represents and to highlight the importance of language, lore and culture," Mr Smelt said.

A "heartbroken" independent federal Senator Lidia Thorpe said Mr Guyula "is a true representative of his people" who "worked his heart out to bring truth-telling and accountability to the NT Parliament, and to stand up for Yolŋu people and justice for all people across the Territory".

Senator Thrope added his election on three occasions was "historic", and could understand Mr Guyula's decision while adding her own criticisms of the CLP and Federal Government.

In a statement, the Central Land Council wrote his resignation is a "devastating loss not just for Aboriginal Territorians but the whole nation".

"He commanded respect and admiration far beyond his electorate for his courage to say what we're all thinking," CLC chair Warren Williams said.

"His willingness to work with all sides of parliament to bring about positive change for our communities was unfaltering and, as we're now discovering, it cost him dearly to keep going in the face of the CLP government's contempt.

"It breaks our hearts to learn that Mr Guyula saw no way out than to resign prematurely and we will desperately miss him and his enormous contribution."

The CLC's jurisdiction covers around three quarters of a million square kilometres in the southern half of the Northern Territory.

Mr Guyula's decision, effective immediately, has triggered a by-election for the seat of Mulka.

The by-election has been set for September 12, with candidate nominations open until Thursday, August 27.