Kiya to explore new stories on Play School

ABC’s Play School has a new partnership that will create a platform for Indigenous voices, perspectives, languages, art and stories.

The collaboration with South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council will explore opportunities to develop content across screen, audio and online through Play School ‘cast member’ and Noongar doll, ‘Kiya’.

SWALSC’s Chief Executive Officer, Vanessa Kickett, said “Our partnership with the highly respected and long-standing children’s program, Play School, is such a wonderful opportunity to share our Noongar culture with children and families across Australia, and around the world.”

SWALSC will consult with Play School on Noongar history, culture and language, and educational story ideas for Kiya.

ABC Head of Children’s Libbie Doherty said: “Play School has such a cherished legacy in Australia. Its songs, stories and focus on learning through play transcends generations. We’re excited to work with SWALSC to represent First Nations Australians through Kiya on one of our most loved programs.”

Kiya first appeared on Play School’s ‘Acknowledgement of Country’ – an episode that highlights the importance of caring for Country together. While Kiya is not Play School’s first Indigenous toy, she is the first to have a connection to specific country, in being Noongar from Western Australia’s south-west. Kiya means ‘hello’ in Noongar.