The ABC has announced that “Bluey” will screen in Yolŋu Matha, the First Nations language of Northeast Arnhem Land, next month in celebration of NAIDOC Week.
The project will be led by Yolŋu Radio and the Aboriginal Resource and Development Services (ARDS), and has been developed in collaboration with the ABC and “Bluey” producers Ludo Studio.
Five “Bluey” episodes have been translated: “The Beach”, “The Creek”, “Sleepytime”, “Grandad” and “Rug Island”. These episodes have been selected for their culturally relevant themes of family and country.
They are set to be screened on ABC iview on Sunday, July 5th, at the commencement of NAIDOC Week. They will also feature on the big screen at the Garma Festival in August.
The episodes were produced at Yolŋu Radio’s studio in Northeast Arnhem Land, with Bandit voiced by Dimathaya Burrawanga, founding member of Yolŋu surf rock band King Stingray, and Chilli by Rosie Mununggurr.
The “Bluey” Indigenous language initiative is a centrepiece of the ABC’s NAIDOC Week 2026 programming, celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, creative voices and languages across screen, audio and digital platforms.
ABC Director, First Nations Strategy Kelly Williams said: “’Bluey’ has become part of family life for many Australians, so hearing these stories told in Yolŋu Matha is a powerful way of bringing Northeast Arnhem Land language and culture into homes across the country.
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“At the ABC, we’re committed to ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages are part of the national conversation and these episodes, alongside our broader NAIDOC Week content, is a strong example of that commitment in action.”
ARDS co-chief executive officers Julia Wormer and Sylvia Nulpinditj said that “’Bluey’ has become a shared language for families right across Australia, so to hear these stories told in Yolŋu Matha, languages spoken on this continent for thousands of generations, is incredibly special.
“We’re grateful to the ABC, Ludo Studio, and our talented cast and crew for bringing this vision to life. 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.”
From Mediaweek