TWO distinctly different yet similar cultures met at St James' Parish today, as members of the Native American Anishinabe tribe met with local Aboriginal people at the Indigenous Culture in Practice seminar.
Northern Lights, a dance and cultural group made up of members of the Anishinabe tribe, is visiting Queensland for a cultural exchange as part of a Queensland Murray Darling Committee program.
Having performed at the Woodford Folk Festival, Northern Lights is also visiting other parts of southern Queensland to share its experiences and struggles in trying to maintain Native American culture and identity.
Anishinabe spritual leader Bucko Teeple said there were great similarities between the struggle of Australian Aborigines and Native American Indians.
"We share a similar history, where our governments dispossesed us of our lands and put in poilicies to eradicate our cultures," Mr Teeple said.
While today's workshop included an exchange of traditional stories and dance, it's main focus was to share ideas on how to maintain indigenous language, culture and identity.
It was attended by more than 70 people.
