Australia's Indigenous community is mourning the death of Torres Strait Islander singer Rita Mills.

Ms Mills rose to fame as part of the singing trio The Mills Sisters which performed traditional Island songs around the world.

She died yesterday afternoon after battling Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

Ms Mills's niece Shirley McIlwraith says her aunt helped instil a new cultural pride amongst Indigenous Australians.

"She felt it important to revive the old songs and that way people were more comfortable and confident in keeping their culture alive through song and dance," she said.

"It was at a time when we were very shy as to who we were and we wanted so much to identify with the white Australian."