On the eve of the 90th anniversary of the Coniston Massacre — Australia's last state-sanctioned mass killing — an Aboriginal leader has called for a national day of remembrance, like Anzac Day, to commemorate massacres of Indigenous people.

Key points: Ceremony in central Australia to commemorate the 1928 Coniston Massacres

Ceremony in central Australia to commemorate the 1928 Coniston Massacres 31 people were killed in the frontier war, but Indigenous people say the true number is closer to 100

31 people were killed in the frontier war, but Indigenous people say the true number is closer to 100 Indigenous leaders want a formal apology from NT Police, amid renewed push for a national day of remembrance

A ceremony in Yurrkuru — formerly known as Coniston Station — on Friday will remember the Coniston massacres in 1928, in which dozens of Indigenous people were killed.

An official report found 31 people were killed, but local Indigenous people say the true number was closer to 100.

Chairman of the Central Land Council Francis Kelly said many people did not know anything about the massacres, which took place over two months.

"It's like Anzac Day, like memories of people who've been in war," he said.

"This is similar to our people and some people in urban areas don't know much about Coniston Massacre.

"Now we want to bring it to the world to know about it."

Frances Kelly said many Australians were unaware of the Coniston Massacre. ( ABC News: Steven Schubert )

The massacres began in August 1928 after a dingo trapper, Fred Brookes, was killed by a local Indigenous man.

Police Constable George Murray led a party and personally admitted to killing at least 17 people.

NT Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw will attend the commemoration, and some descendants of those who were killed are hoping he will offer a formal apology.

But Mr Kelly said he wanted more than just words.

"That's alright to say sorry but it's more deeper than sorry today," he said.

"Proper [progress] comes from justice from the Government and the police too.

"And today it's still going on in the background, people still getting killed, even in jail."

Constable Murray's grand-niece Liza Dale-Hallett will attend the commemoration ceremony, and agreed that there should be better recognition of the frontier wars between Indigenous Australians and white settlers.

"This is our Australian story, this is how we respond and how we respect and honour the really difficult parts of our past," she said.

The grave of the white dingo trapper Fred Brooks whose death was reprised by the Coniston massacre. ( Supplied: National Archives of Australia )

"It is a really important part of, I think, us becoming mature as a nation and opening our hearts to others who really have suffered and continue to suffer."

Mr Kelly said he welcomed representatives of Constable Murray's family attending the commemoration.

"It's good to have them there and have a relationship with each other today, to care for each other, but this one is just the past," he said.

"We can talk about past but let's forget about it and be in one.

"I think we should all come together and be in harmony."