Proud Palawa woman from lutruwita (Tasmania) and a passionate advocate for Aboriginal food sovereignty, cultural preservation, and community empowerment.

Kitana Mansell is a proud Palawa woman from lutruwita (Tasmania) and a passionate advocate for Aboriginal food sovereignty, cultural preservation, and community empowerment. Kitana plays a leading role in revitalising and celebrating Palawa food traditions, sharing the stories, ingredients, and practices that have sustained her people for thousands of generations.

Her work connects culture and cuisine, highlighting the deep relationship between land, sea, language, and identity. Through her engagement in cultural education and native food initiatives such as Palawa Kipli, Tasmania’s Aboriginal food business. Kitana brings visibility to native food systems and challenges colonial narratives around gastronomy.

At the heart of Kitana’s message is the importance of Aboriginal people’s voices in shaping the future of food. She invites audiences to reflect on the power of traditional knowledge, sustainable practices, and the cultural richness embedded in every ingredient. Her contributions inspire a deeper appreciation for the land, waterways, and the stories it feeds.