Little J and Big Cuz Return in Palawa Kani

A new episode of children’s television series Little J and Big Cuz has been made in palawa kani. It is only the second time a major television program has been made using the Tasmanian Aboriginal language.

The episode tells the story of mutton-birding on the Bass Strait islands. The title muta prungi comes from the pilot bird, the sacred white bird that leads the flock.

The program also shows how the palawa people collect shells for necklaces.

The ‘Pilot Bird’ episode of the animated TV kid’s series Little J and Big Cuz is currently screening on NITV and ABC television. You can watch the English language version here until 22 August: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/little-j-and-big-cuz/series/0/video/CH1710H005S00

The palawa kani version is currently available via SBS on demand. You can watch it online although you will need to log in to a (free) SBS account to do so: https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/video/1738895427933/little-j-and-big-cuz-pilot-bird-palawa-kani

Voice actors in the new episode. Back: Kawanji Greaves 16, Skye Cox 15. Front: Jannali Thomas-Ogden 9, Ashley Whitcombe 11.

The Little J and Big Cuz television series was commissioned by NITV and ABC.

The palawa kani version of ‘Pilot Bird’ was produced by Blue Rocket in collaboration with the TAC Language Program, with the support of Screen Tasmania and Arts Tasmania.

This episode was written by local Tasmanian Aboriginal writer Nathan Maynard. He said he was proud to be able to depict a living cultural tradition that had been practised for thousands of years.

The character parts are voiced by local Aboriginal community members. They include Nala Mansell, Rosetta Thomas, Theresa Sainty, Aaron Everett, Jamie Graham-Blair, Merinda Sainty, Kawanji Greaves, Skye Cox, Jannali Thomas-Ogden and Ashley Whitcombe.

The launch of the episode was held earlier this week on National Aboriginal Children’s Day at piyura kitina / Risdon Cove. The Governor Kate Warner, Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds and other dignitaries attended.

If you haven’t seen the series before, it follows the adventure five-year-old boy Little J and Big Cuz, she’s nine. They’re a couple of indigenous Australian kids living with their Nanna in a community. Little J and Big Cuz are busy with the ups and downs of playground and classroom.

The first ever palawa kani television program was an earlier episode of Little J and Big Cuz which first screened in 2017. You can watch it below: