our Community

There is only one Tasmanian Aboriginal community and we are writers, storytellers, dancers, cultural burning practitioners, guides, history experts, shell stringers, activists, performers, playwrights, photographers, photojournalists, poets, musicians, designers, lawyers and law students, photographers, teachers, archivists, academics, film-makers, artists and more. Here are some examples of community members out there doing their thing.

Palawa Business Hub, founded in 2024 by Sara Maynard and Leah Brown, “is a place of connection and opportunity.   We exist to explore and offer culturally appropriate support and pathways for Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander people in Lutruwita/Tasmania who want to grow, create and thrive in their own businesses.” 

Blak Led Tours brings you takara nipaluna (‘walking Hobart’) in the CBD, written and performed by Palawa and Warlpuri woman Nunami Sculthorpe-Green who tells stories of these places beyond the limitations of the colonial narrative. Follow Blak Led Tours on Instagram to find out about upcoming events and collaborations.

palawa kipli is the only Aboriginal catering company in Lutruwita and brings people together to share history and culture through a modern take on traditional foods. palawa kipli is managed by Kitana Mansell. Understanding origins means palawa kipli can work towards genuinely sustainable food sourcing. palawa kipli now run regular bush food walking tours at Piyura Kitina (Risdon Cove) called kipli takara.

For over two decades, award-winning photographer, writer, emerging filmmaker and sometimes artist Jillian Mundy has been taking stories of her people, and other First Nations people to the country in the Koori Mail.

Our very own brand of Cape Barren Island music is being carried on by community members such as Uncle Dougie Mansell and Merinda Sainty.

The words for Dewanyne Everettsmith’s Melaythina were written by Aboriginal community members and released on Dewayne’s Surrender album as the first commercially available song in palawa kani. Milaythina means Country, land or native place. 

DENNI is an advocate for social change and her music a vehicle for truth telling. She is passionate about her people, her culture, music and performance.

Rulla Kelly-Mansell of Marlon x Rulla released Black Swan in 2021 inspired by and performed for beloved Uncle Archie.

Miss Kaninna is a proud Yorta Yorta, Yirendali and Kalkadoon singer, storyteller and performer raised on the shores of Lunawuni (Bruny Island).

Sinsa Mansell is the co-founder, choreographer, producer of dance troupe pakana kanaplila who she performs Listen to this ABC radio interview to learn more. 

Playwright Nathan Maynard continues to produce extraordinary work such as Hide the Dog, At What Cost and The Box (written with Rob Braslin).

Nipaluna-based Rob Braslin is a Wakka Wakka artist, writer, film-maker and stand-up comedian and has his finger in many pies often all at the same time.

Yuwaalaraay man Warren Mason’s Tin Camp Studios provide a safe space for unique music and cultural events and are a healing tool. A Tin Camp Studio stands inside The LongHouse with a Dean Greeno sculpture on its awning.

For decades, Ricky Maynard has been committed to representing his people though documentary images and using photography as a tool of social change. His work is exhibited worldwide.

First Nations creatives such as Nunami Sculthorpe-Green, Sinsa Mansell, Kartanya Maynard, Janice Ross, Jamie McCaskill work with Tasperforms.

2024 Tasmanian Young Australian of the Year recipient, Naarah, is a Gija woman raised in Nipaluna who is an actor, musician and activist.

The list goes on and on.

Experience First Nations cultures through art, music, dance and story during annual celebrations and festivals such as NAIDOC, Nayri Niara Good Spirit Festival, Festival of Voices, Ten Days on the Island and Dark Mofo and through our collaborations with Tasdance, Terrapin and Theatre Royal.

The Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre has branches around the state. Their website is packed with information about publications, palawa kani, dual naming, campaigns, rallies and festivals.  

State government institution Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) in Hobart has permanent galleries ningina tunapri and Our land: parawa parawa! Go away! along with important exhibitions such as taypani milaythina-tu: Return to Country.