ABC Kids Play School KIYA Indigenous Doll

About Kiya!

You may recognise Kiya as she is featured as a main cast member on TV’s Play School.

Our Director Jessica Staines was part of the consultative team during the creation of Kiya.

Kiya Watt, a Menang Gnudju Yorga woman from the Noongar Nation, is the incredible Aboriginal artist behind the print featured on Kiya’s dress.

Kiya means "hello" in Noongar language. Kiya is from Noongar country, which is in the southern corner of Western Australia. Noongar country is one of the largest Indigenous cultural blocks in Australia, consisting of 14 language groups.

Kiya is a modern representation with connection to land, being a Noongar girl. Kiya is a regular on PlaySchool , joining the likes of Big Ted, Little Ted, Humpty and Jemima, along with the rest of the Play School favourites.

Watch my first episode on ABC Kids Playschool here.

I'm 32cm high.

Dress Artwork Design by Kiya Watt, a Menang Gnudju Yorga woman from the Noongar Nation.

Testimonials

"We recently purchased a Kiya doll from Koori Curriculum. We have started to send Kiya home on weekends with our families and have asked them to discover something about the Gubbi Gubbi people on the Sunshine coast. Our feedback from families has been amazing and has demonstrated how our journey of embedding Aboringinal perspectives in our curriculum in having an overflow to our families. I have attached the information each family has shared. I have permission from the three families to share this information and images with you. I can forward of you need. Thanks!"

Suzy Fletcher

"My grandaughter Anaya (aged 2 and a half) was so excited to receive Kiya for Christmas. They have the same skin colour and the same beautiful curly brown hair. She calls her ‘my Kiya’ and loves cuddling with her. It’s so nice that she can recognise her from PlaySchool too."

Cass Moriarty

 "I promptly received the delivery from Koori Curriculum after placing my order online. I can’t wait to see the children on the first day of school playing with beautiful Kaya furthermore the dolls are excellent quality and very durable. I’m very grateful for this wonderful resource for our classroom. Thanks so much for your prompt service of quality products."

Caroline Edwards

"Kiya has been an exciting new addition to our Preschool. The children have really embraced Kiya’s presence, making her feel comfortable and welcome across the day. Using our AIATSIS map of Indigenous Australia, we discovered that Kiya had to catch a plane to travel from Noongar Country to us here on Boon Wurrung and Bunurong Country. As we learn more about Kiya’s Country and her community connections, she is also supporting us to discover more about the traditional people and custodians of the land on which we live and play. One of our 4-year old children decided that Kiya needed a house, because we all go home to our houses at the end of the day. He decorated it with some Aboriginal symbols so that she feels more connected to her Country."

 Stephanie Davey