In early 2008, a group of Tasmanian Aboriginal people came together to discuss how Community could be inclusive and have a voice especially in the area of Cultural Heritage and Knowledge. From this meeting, Melaythenner Teeackana Warrana (Heart of Country) Aboriginal Corporation (MTWAC) was born. It currently operates as a not-for-profit organisation with operations centered on Tebrakunna Country (Cape Portland) in Trouwunna (Tasmania).
Our major annual community event is Mannalargenna Day, celebrating the life of ancestral grandfather Mannalargenna, the revered Bungana (leader) of the clans of the Coastal Plains Nation.
In November 2024, MTWAC was named the winner of the Indigenous Governance Awards – Category 2 – in recognition of it being an outstanding example of Indigenous-led small to medium incorporated organisations. MTWAC was the first Tasmanian Aboriginal Corporation to ever receive the award. Find out more on our News site, here.
Mannalargenna Day 2024
Please go to the Upcoming Events page for the event details. The Mannalargenna Day Festival will be held on Saturday 7th December 2024. For regular updates on the event, please follow our Facebook page.
Our Vision
Melaythenner Teeackana Warrana members are direct descendants of the Aboriginal Ancestors from the Country of Tebrakunna, known as the region of northeast Tasmania. Melaythenner Teeackana Warrana will preserve custodianship and pass on the cultural traditions, practices and knowledges of our Ancestors, and conduct our business with cultural integrity. Melaythenner Teeackana Warrana will operate on the premise of acknowledging that our Land is sacred, our Culture is precious, and we are a unique People.
Our Aims
Our primary aims and objectives are to:
- Establish and maintain an Aboriginal cultural artifacts and keeping place.
- Conduct and advocate research into Aboriginal history and cultural practice.
- Develop, re-establish and conduct interdisciplinary Aboriginal ceremonial practices.
- Mentor and showcase Aboriginal artistic expression.
- Conduct Aboriginal cultural awareness training.
- Advocate Aboriginal needs and aspirations to government departments and non-government agencies.
- Reclaim and establish the rightful place of Aborigines as the original peoples of Tasmania.
- Operate with the highest integrity in business in order to protect Aboriginal cultural heritage and practice as specified by the members.
- To explore and develop opportunities in economic development projects e.g. tourism ventures.
- To increase our involvement in the naming of Country, places, and people through thorough research of historical documents.
- Provide a political voice in issues of land return and protection.
2025 meeting schedule
To be advised.