A partnership between the University of Tasmania and the University of Northern Arizona saw a group of Native American students and teachers visit Aboriginal people in Tasmania this week.
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University of Northern Arizona traditional scholar Lorenzo Max and Tasmanian Aboriginal Elders Council chairman Clyde Mansell said the cultural exchange revealed many similarities.
“For lack of a better word, indigenous people have very similar views no matter where they are in the world … (such as) our commitment to nature and the need to respect and be in alignment with nature,” Mr Max said.
“I was also surprised to see that some of the ceremonies are similar to what we do back home.”
Mr Max said the visit had been emotional for many of his students as they heard of the hardships faced by Aboriginal people in Tasmania and related them to their own history.
“The students that are here, they are fascinated, they are moved by this experience, some have even shed tears,” he said.
