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Play School have proudly introduced a new indigenous character and the public reaction is awesome!

Sharing on the ABC Indigenous Facebook page they wrote, “This is Kiya pictured here with her deadly friend Miranda Tapsell.

“Kiya is the new Indigenous doll on Play School and will make her debut during NAIDOC Week in the special episode, ‘Acknowledgement of Country’, celebrating our Indigenous language and culture.

“Kiya’s dress is a collaboration with Noongar artist Kiya Watt and is a special story about her people and the Mother Ocean.

You can catch the episode on the 8th of July from 9.00am on ABC KIDS, with an all-star cast of presenters Miranda Tapsell, Luke Carroll and Hunter Page-Lochard who will find out where Kiya is from and learn to say hello in her language.”

Parents are thrilled by the new addition and have shared their appreciation with the ABC:

“I’m a bit teary about this one. Thank you play school. I wish the world had been aware enough for this to happen when my now big boy was little.”

“When kids can see themselves reflected in media, thank you #abc”

“At last and wonderful to hear – will spread the word.”

“FABULOUS!. I wish Kiya had been around 40 years ago when I was learning (and teaching)”

” So proud of the ABC Playschool show. It is a wonderful thing to see Nyoogar representation on our TV’s. What a great Naidoc celebration for many First Australians. As a non indigenous Australian I just love love love this.”

“Great idea to introduce a new indigenous character to educate children. I applaud the project, keep the good ideas coming ABC Kids.”

“This is amazing… I am looking forward to play this episode in my kindergarten room.”

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  • That is a positive thing for Play school to do.

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  • Wonderful, thank you Play School.

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  • I’ve been watching shows like Playschool and Sesame Street for many many years now and never noticed it was inclusive. There were never multi cultural characters, no homosexual ones, none with drug or mental health issues. And you know what? I grew up fine, my kids grew up fine. These shows are watched for fun learning, kids don’t need all the political correctness shoved at them at such a young age

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  • This is fantastic. Will have to catch up on the episode. Great work Play School

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  • The doll will hopefully help break down some of the racial discrimination for children that often starts with the parents. Unfortunately the main thing that symbolises the indigenous people is the patterns on the clothing.

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  • totally love it!!!!!

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  • I love it !

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  • Very cool – well done Play School

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  • Thats realy good. I hope they introduce some Aboriginal language and some of the tribal traditions. May be hard because of our many tribes but worth a go.

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  • I love this!

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  • This is very cool

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  • This is a great step in the right direction.

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  • I think it’s fabulous! and a long time coming!

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  • Good on Play School – it is about time.

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  • I’m honestly surprised it’s taken this long! I’ve only just gotten back into play school after 15 years, so never noticed/remembered that they didn’t have an indigenous character

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