Indigenous dancers from across the world have taken part in the ‘Kabarraijbi Wangkijbi Spectacular’ on Day two of the Gulf Country Frontier Days Festival, in Burketown on Thursday.
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The Kabarrijbi Wangkijbi Spectacular, which means Song and dance, featured local dancers from Doomadgee and Burketown, who were joined by Indigenous dance groups from Torres Strait Island, Toowoomba as well as Native American dancers from the Navajo and Eastern Shoshone / Northern Arapaho Tribes.
The Coming Together of Nations represents a small but significant step towards a more inclusive, united Gulf region.
Festival Managing Director Amy Doomadgee says bringing together Indigenous cultures from around Australia and around the world is a central part of what the Gulf Country Frontier Days Festival is all about.
“Watching the dance groups celebrate the proud Indigenous heritage of Australia, together as one mob, sends a powerful message to the local community and our youth,” Ms Doomadgee said.
“By empowering the local community, we can truly create real change.”
Kenneth Shirley of the Navajo Nation, who performed his Native ‘Men’s Fancy Dance’ as part of the Coming Together of Nations said he was impressed by the Indigenous Dance groups, and hoped to one day perform together on his Country.
“I’ve never seen an Indigenous dance group perform before, and I am seriously impressed,” Mr Shirley said.
“They dance with such passion and intensity, it was beautiful to watch. Hopefully in the future we can do this again in the United States.”
The cultural program included performances from Gawa-Ngardu Dumaji (Doomadgee), Malu Kiai (Torres Strait Island), Witnanjill Fustan (Toowoomba), Native American Dancers Sarah Ortegon (Eastern Shoshone / Northern Arapaho Tribe) and Kenneth Shirley (Navajo Nation)
The Coming Together of Nations is a significant event for the Gulf, as it represents the meeting and then uniting of Indigenous tribes.
Former Miss Native American USA Sarah Ortegon says this event took on extra significance for her. “Watching the people of the Gulf come together, together with other tribes from around the Country is a beautiful thing,” Ms Ortegon said.
“I wish there was more of this in the world.”