Meintangk people facts for kids

The Meintangk are an Indigenous Australian people. They are one of the many First Nations groups who have lived on the Australian continent for thousands of years. The Meintangk are often seen as a smaller group connected to the larger Ngarrindjeri people. They have a rich history and culture in the southeastern part of South Australia.

Where Did the Meintangk Live?

The Meintangk people lived on a large area of land, covering about 1,500 square miles (2,400 square kilometers). Their traditional lands stretched along the coast from Lacepede Bay in the north, about 12 miles (19 km) from Kingston, down to Cape Jaffa in the south.

Inland, their territory went east to places like Lucindale, Blackford, Keilira, and Naracoorte. Their land also included the area from Lake Hawdon to Mosquito Creek. This region was their home for many generations.

Meintangk Communities and Groups

The Meintangk people were made up of at least seven different groups or clans. These groups lived in specific parts of the Meintangk territory. One of these important groups was the Paintjunga, who lived around the area known today as Penola. Each group had its own traditions and connections to the land.

Important Meintangk Voices

One notable person from the Meintangk community is Irene Watson. She is a Professor of Law at the University of South Australia Business School. Irene Watson has both Meintangk and Tanganekald heritage. She has written a book that shares the history of Aboriginal peoples in the southeastern part of Australia, helping to preserve and share their stories and experiences.

Other Names for the Meintangk

Like many Indigenous groups, the Meintangk people were sometimes known by different names. These names could be used by other groups or be variations of their own name. Some of these alternative names include:

• Painbali – This was a name used by the Tanganekald people to refer to the Meintangk. It's an exonym, which means a name given by an outside group.
• Paintjunga
• Pinchunga, Pinejunga
• Mootatunga
• Wepulprap – This is another term from the Tanganekald people, meaning 'southern people'.