The fourth season of animated children's series Little J & Big Cuz has been released, coinciding with NAIDOC Week.
First premiering in 2017, Little J & Big Cuz made history as the first animated children's show to highlight Australia's First Nations people. The show quickly gained popularity and broad success, earning NITV its first Logie award as well as other accolades in various award ceremonies.
Little J & Big Cuz highlights numerous contexts involving Indigenous peoples, such as saltwater, desert, and freshwater Country, as well as at school and on excursions to Country.
Episodes are accessible in English as well as 17 First Nations languages. With growing success, the new series will include Kuku Yalanji and Kalaw Kawaw Ya, with SBS on Demand providing subtitles in Arabic, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese.
The First Nations Experience channel in the United States acquired the series last year, along with Barrumbi Kids, sparking extensive and enthusiastic social media engagement.
Noongar woman and scriptwriter, Dot West spoke on Radio Goolarri Broome about the series.
"It's been magical, being able to be in that little kids' world and create story and know that the stories you're creating – even though it's twinges of your childhood memory," Ms West said.
"...it's also what I see with my grandkids and so (it's magical) being able to put that within a story for other kids to enjoy."
Executive produce on Little J & Big Cuz and the Australian Council for Education Research's (ACER) senior portfolio manager, Lisa Norris, said the show's influence has grown.
"I am incredibly proud of the work we have done within the series, but the vision was always bigger, and the accompanying resources are a brilliant addition," Ms Norris said.
"With each new series, I hope more educators find their way to the resources ACER has online that tie in with Little J & Big Cuz, because they're special," said Norris.
"They were designed to empower educators in preschools and the early years of primary school to embrace and have confidence in introducing First Nations' knowledge into the curriculum, and their classrooms.
"They cover all kinds of themes and topics, from weather to celebrations, games and dinosaurs, to the stars and beyond. There's something in there for everyone."
The fourth season of Little J & Big Cuz premiered on 8 July, introducing 10 new stories on ABC Kids, NITV, and SBS.