The globally loved children's show Bluey will be available in an Australian Indigenous language for the first time. Five episodes from seasons one and two have been dubbed into Yolŋu Matha, the Australian First Nations language of North-east Arnhem Land, as part of an initiative for National Aboriginal and Islanders Day Observance Committee (Naidoc) Week.
Episodes and Voice Cast
The episodes entitled The Beach, The Creek, Sleepytime, Grandad and Rug Island have been re-voiced by Dimathaya Burrawanga from the band King Stingray (as Bandit), Yolŋu educator and translator Rosie Mununggurr (as Chilli) and Andrew Gurruwiwi as the granddad. The children voicing Bluey and Bingo are local children from North-east Arnhem Land; their names have not been disclosed to protect their privacy.
Collaboration and Significance
The project was developed with Yolŋu Radio and the Aboriginal Resource and Development Services (ARDS), in collaboration with Bluey creators Ludo Studio and the ABC. Kelly Williams, the ABC's director of First Nations strategy, said the Indigenous language episodes will “bring the North-east Arnhem Land language and culture into homes across the country.” Julia Wormer and Sylvia Nulpinditj, co-chief executive officers at ARDS, stated: “To hear these stories told in Yolŋu Matha, languages spoken on this continent for thousands of generations, is incredibly special. We hope this project contributes to a future where First Nations languages are increasingly heard, celebrated and recognised as a vital part of Australia's story.”
Broadcast and Impact
Due to be broadcast and streamed for the first time on Sunday 5 July, the episodes will also be screened at this year's Garma festival in August. Bluey, Bingo, Bandit and Chilli have been streamed into millions of homes since the show launched in 2018. It is available in more than 140 countries and has topped the US streaming charts for the past two years. Naidoc Week runs from 5 to 12 July, with the theme 50 Years of Deadly, honouring the strength, leadership and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.
