A Yolngu politician who campaigned to use his first language in Northern Territory's Parliament has delivered a blistering speech about the lack of Aboriginal-language education in remote schools.

Key points: Yingiya Mark Guyula delivered a speech in the Djambarrpuyngu dialect of Yolngu Matha

Yingiya Mark Guyula delivered a speech in the Djambarrpuyngu dialect of Yolngu Matha It was the culmination of his campaign to use his first language to contribute in Parliament

It was the culmination of his campaign to use his first language to contribute in Parliament In his speech, the MLA criticised the practice of fining parents for children's non-attendance at school

But his speech was partly overshadowed by a fiery exchange when independent MLA Robyn Lambley criticised Education Minister Selena Uibo's response as "an Aboriginal woman" with an education background.

Independent member Yingiya Mark Guyula addressed the Parliament in the Djambarrpuyngu dialect of Yolgnu Matha, the language spoken across north-east Arnhem Land.

An interpreter provided a simultaneous English language translation, under new rules agreed to in March.

Mr Guyula said successive Northern Territory governments had dismantled bilingual education services and were failing remote communities.

"This is exactly why our children are struggling to attend [and] that parents are struggling to engage, because you set us up to fail," he said.

"This is your failure, not ours."

He said fining parents for their children's truancy was not the solution to problems with school attendance, but said families were disengaging as they were made to feel "branded as stupid and lazy".

He said the Labor government was under-resourcing two-way education and called for better training to produce more Aboriginal school principals and senior teachers.

"Schools for Aboriginal children must embrace their identity not undermine it," he said.

"Our culture and language is strongly who we are—we are not Europeans, we are not migrants, we live on our own country."

Education Minister objects to 'Aboriginal woman' comment

Education Minister Selena Uibo gave a response to the speech, in which she said truancy fines were a last resort and listed government efforts to build local capacity in remote schools.

And she disagreed with Mr Guyula's remarks that schools felt foreign for Aboriginal children, because of the cultural importance of education throughout Aboriginal history.

But argument broke out when Alice Springs-based independent Robyn Lambley accused the Minister of "grandstanding" instead of engaging with Mr Guyula's points.

Ms Lambley said: "And I feel very sorry for her because she's an Aboriginal woman who comes from an education background, she could have made a more meaningful contribution than what she did."

Minister Uibo asked for the comment to be withdrawn.

"I find it offensive that my cultural background or heritage has anything to do with the capacity for how I fulfill my role," she said.

NT Parliament's rules around language were changed earlier this year. ( ABC News: Andie Smith )

Ms Lambley said the Minister was being "precious and defensive" but eventually withdrew.

New rules on language in parliament

Debate on the use of languages other than English in Northern Territory Parliament has dragged for more than three years.

Previously, members were allowed to use another language only if they provided a written transcript in advance.

But after a campaign by Mr Guyula, a parliamentary committee agreed to repeal that rule in March this year.

He said the change would help him advocate more confidently on behalf of his constituents.

"Translating words in Yolngu Matha from one brain into [another] in English is a job and a half," he said.

"That's why I need an interpreter to give me a clear mind so we can work together and flow things through."

Parliament's standing orders still require members wishing to speak in a language other than English to seek leave and give the Speaker "adequate notice".