Montpelliatta (c. 1790 – 1836) was a leader of the 'Big River' group of Aboriginal Tasmanian clans during the Black War of the 1820s and early 1830s in Tasmania. He is regarded as one of the main organisers of Aboriginal resistance to British colonisation during this period.

Very little is known of Montpelliatta's early life. He was probably born around the year 1790 into the traditional Aboriginal society of the 'Big River' group of people who resided in central Tasmania before British colonisation.

Conflict with the 'Big River' clans began in 1804 when a detachment of soldiers garrisoned at Risdon shot and killed several Aboriginal people while they were conducting a kangaroo hunt close to the newly established settlement. Further British incursions into their country continued into the 1810s with the arrival of pastoralists, bushrangers and escaped convicts from the settlements of Hobart and Launceston. Aboriginal people were often shot, with women and children abducted for sexual purposes or to be used as servants.

By 1826 the British pastoral expansion into central Tasmania had seen almost of the all prime land that was utilised by the 'Big River' people for hunting and cultural purposes usurped by the colonists. Montpelliatta later stated that during this time 'when the Aborigines left any place to go hunting elsewhere, and they returned in the course of eight days, they found a hut erected'.

It was apparent to Montpelliatta and his people that the invasive, hostile and numerous enemy had little regard for their right to live, which left them little other option than to fight for their survival. Consequently, a larger series of conflicts began between the colonists and the Aboriginal people which is generally known as the Black War.

Montpelliatta and others led raids and reprisals on the colonists, spearing and beating stockmen, setting fire to huts and plundering farms. Likewise the British colonists raided Aboriginal camps, killing and abducting people. By 1828, the loss of lives and land forced the 'Big River' people to amalgamate with the remnants of the neighbouring 'Oyster Bay' people of eastern Tasmania, to whom colonisation was having an equally devastating effect. Tongerlongeter of the 'Oyster Bay' people, together with Montpelliatta became the leaders of Aboriginal resistance in this region.

This resistance was having a significant effect on the economy of the British colony. Dozens of settlers were being killed and expansion was being stalled. Governor George Arthur declared martial law in November 1828, giving colonists impunity to kill Aboriginal people. Further to this, armed roving parties of military and civilians were sent into the countryside to search for and extirpate the remaining Aboriginal residents.

However, the Aboriginal resistance continued and the violence escalated with female settlers being increasingly targeted. Montpelliatta though was known to be selectively merciful, in one case personally protecting a white woman from violence.