Australia is full of diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nations. From Bunuba to Wiradjuri, palawa to Kala Lagaw Ya, every mob has its own language and unique culture. Each episode of Little Yarns will take you on a journey to a different nation to learn a first word on Country. We’ll travel south across the Tasman Sea to lutruwita (Tasmania) and learn about the mums of palawa country. Look out for crocs in Wadjigany, while we find out about the seasons in Batjamalh language. And keep your eyes peeled for an eight-legged creepy crawly, as we hear how Yawuru language has changed over time. There are hundreds of first languages to listen to and learn from! Little Yarns is a co-listening podcast series for pre-schoolers. Ideal for families listening together at home or as a listening resource in early learning centres, Little Yarns explores the diverse languages, stories and countries of Indigenous Australia.
NAIDOC Week: Keep the fire burning!
This year's NAIDOC theme is 'Keep the fire burning! Blak, loud and proud' so we're revisiting Dreaming stories shared with us by Clayton on Adnyamathanha Country and Brittanie on Gumbaynggirr Country.
7/7/2024 • 9 minutes, 20 seconds
A Littler Yarn with Troy Cassar-Daley
The sun's going down and the sky is getting dark... It's time for a lullaby to drift off to sleep. Let's head to Gumbaynggirr Country for a littler yarn with Troy Cassar-Daley about his new lullaby 'Ninganah'...
1/15/2024 • 7 minutes, 49 seconds
A Littler Yarn with Nyangulya Katie Nalgood
Let's have a yarn with Walmajarri artist Nyangulya Katie Nalgood. It gets pretty hot on her Country but you can still find bright, beautiful birds down by the waterhole. They're Katie's favourite things to paint ever since she was little...
This Littler Yarn was a collaboration with the Tarnanthi Art Festival and the Art Gallery of South Australia, with special thanks to Sally Lawrey, Spinifex Hill Studio and Kelly Gudgeon.
10/16/2023 • 7 minutes, 55 seconds
A Littler Yarn with Wimiya Woodley
We're meeting Yindjibarndi man Wimiya Woodley to yarn about Country, lore and Rudi's favourite thing to do... dancing!
This Littler Yarn was a collaboration with the Tarnanthi Art Festival and the Art Gallery of South Australia, with special thanks to Sally Lawrey and Juluwarlu Art Group.
10/16/2023 • 6 minutes, 59 seconds
A Littler Yarn with Djakangu Yunupingu
We're in the Top End to visit Yolngu Elder and artist Djakangu Yunupingu at her studio. Djakangu has painted a very special story that was passed down to her from her father. It's the story of the Djulpan and the seven sisters...
This Littler Yarn was a collaboration with the Tarnanthi Art Festival and the Art Gallery of South Australia, with special thanks to Sally Lawrey, Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre and Will Stubbs.
10/16/2023 • 6 minutes, 4 seconds
Friend in Wiradjuri
It's our last visit to see our mudyi Nathan - let's join him for a walk in the hills around Mudgee and yarn about how we can be a friend to people and Country.
9/17/2023 • 7 minutes, 45 seconds
Brushtail possum in Wiradjuri
The sun is setting over Wiradjuri Country and things are getting quiet, but there's a friend in the trees that's just starting to wake up... Nathan shares all kinds of Wiradjuri words that come from wilay - the brushtail possum!
9/10/2023 • 9 minutes, 17 seconds
Crow in Wiradjuri
We're meeting our friend Nathan by the river. He's going to introduce us to his Country and a special piece of it that always makes him feel at home - the crow!
9/3/2023 • 9 minutes, 11 seconds
Goodbye in Wambaya
It can be hard to say goodbye, it can bring on a lot of big feelings. But it can also mean returning to a place or person you've been missing. Let's head back to Wambaya Country one last time to say alima to Lynette.
8/27/2023 • 8 minutes, 24 seconds
Little brother in Wambaya
Lynette's favourite person is her little brother. He's always making her laugh! Let's head back to Wambaya Country to meet him and tell a few jokes...
8/20/2023 • 6 minutes, 53 seconds
Water in Wambaya
When you step outside Lynette's backyard, all you can see is endless sky. That's why she gets so excited when she sees the clouds gathering – that could mean galyurringi!
8/13/2023 • 7 minutes, 34 seconds
Mangroves in Ndjébbana
It's our last visit to Ndjébbana Country with Noni. Let's go for a walk together through the mangroves. Keep your eyes open for crocs!
8/6/2023 • 8 minutes, 4 seconds
Rain in Ndjébbana
We're back on Ndjébbana Country with Noni. Clouds are gathering overhead and the rain is coming. What will the new season bring? Let's take some time to sit and listen to the sound of maloya....
7/30/2023 • 8 minutes, 52 seconds
Sun in Ndjébbana
Noni takes us for a ride in her canoe to her mother's Country to yarn about her favourite things... the rain, mangroves and the sun!
7/23/2023 • 8 minutes, 33 seconds
Rainbow in Dharumbal
Neenah loves when the wet season starts on Dharumbal Country, because it brings the rain and one of her favourite things to see in the sky...
7/16/2023 • 8 minutes
Wise in Dharumbal
Let's head back to Dharumbal Country, and have a yarn with Neenah about her wise, old man.
7/9/2023 • 8 minutes
Dreamtime in Dharumbal
We're going to meet Neenah on Dharumbal Country in central Queensland, who's going to tell us about her family and connection to bidi moringa.
7/2/2023 • 8 minutes
A Littler Yarn!
We're having a Littler Yarn with singer and fellow Gamilaroi girl Loren Ryan! She's going to share some language with us and her Gamilaraay version of 'I Can Sing a Rainbow'.
7/3/2022 • 5 minutes, 23 seconds
Mother and children in Kullilli
Toby loves to yarn stories with his children, walking in his favourite place… among the scar trees. Let’s join him and learn about his mother country.
5/22/2022 • 8 minutes, 14 seconds
River in Kullilli
Let's head back to Kullilli Country to meet Toby in one of his favourite spots - catching yabbies by the river!
5/15/2022 • 7 minutes, 34 seconds
Strong in Kullilli
We're going to meet Toby on Kullilli Country in south-west Queensland for a smoking ceremony and to yarn about what makes us strong.
5/8/2022 • 7 minutes, 59 seconds
Father of the Waters in Yorta Yorta
Listen to the river as Ebony shares the hidden meanings of her favourite Yorta Yorta placenames.
5/1/2022 • 7 minutes, 36 seconds
Sun in Yorta Yorta
Today, we're back on Yorta Yorta Country with Ebony to sit in the sunshine and spot our favourite colours.
4/24/2022 • 7 minutes, 39 seconds
Water in Yorta Yorta
Today, we're sitting by the river on Yorta Yorta Country. Listen out for frogs, water birds and the Yorta Yorta word for water.
4/17/2022 • 8 minutes
Story in Adnyamathanha
We're back on Adnyamathanha Country with Clayton where he shares a word with a few meanings in English. It's the word for story, history, songlines and legend.
4/10/2022 • 7 minutes, 57 seconds
Kid in Adnyamathanha
We're back on Adnyamathanha Country and heading to school. Clayton shares the word for kid and how the best way to learn is to play!
4/3/2022 • 6 minutes, 22 seconds
Family in Adnyamathanha
We're heading to the red, rocky lands of the Adnyamathanha Nation, to meet Clayton and talk about our families.
3/27/2022 • 8 minutes
Clever in Gumbaynggirr
Today on Gumbaynggirr Country, we're at the beach! We'll learn about totems, looking after the environment and listening to Country.
3/20/2022 • 6 minutes, 55 seconds
Knee in Gumbaynggirr
We're back on saltwater Country with Brittanie to hear a story and even learn a song in Gumbaynggirr!
3/13/2022 • 7 minutes, 35 seconds
Hello in Gumbaynggirr
Little Yarns is back and we're headed to Gumbaynggirr Country to meet Brittanie and learn the word you start all your yarns with...
3/6/2022 • 8 minutes
Noisy Yarns
Rudi is meeting up with Ann Jones from Noisy By Nature for a bushwalk on Dharawal Country. Together they’re listening to Country and trying their best to copy the sounds of the loud locals – a whipbird, clicking froglets, a plover and something green that makes a surprising sound. Join in for a Noisy Yarn!
7/18/2021 • 11 minutes, 37 seconds
Kids in Yugambeh
Let's lay by the river on Yugambeh Country and gaze at the green mountains, as Hunter talks about keeping your connection to Country close, even if you live away from your mob.
3/29/2020 • 8 minutes, 14 seconds
Beach in Tiwi
We join Malcolm at his favourite tingata (beach) and learn about taking care of each other on Tiwi Country.
3/22/2020 • 7 minutes, 24 seconds
Crocodile and Cassowary in Kalaw Kawaw Ya
We're going back to Saibai in the Torres Strait to learn about Aaron's clans, the Keodal and the Samu.
3/15/2020 • 7 minutes, 50 seconds
Shore in Noongar
We're going back to the Noongar Nation to visit our Wirlomin Noongar friend, Cassie. She's going to show us the hidden meanings of some of her favourite Noongar words.
3/8/2020 • 7 minutes, 19 seconds
Rainbow and Rainbow Serpent in Tiwi
We're heading back to the Top End to visit the Tiwi Islands, where Malcolm talks about his connection to Country and teaches us about his family totem ampiji (the Rainbow Serpent).
3/1/2020 • 7 minutes, 13 seconds
Heart in Kalaw Kawaw Ya
We return to the island of Sabai, in the Torres Strait, where Aaron shares the Kalaw Kawaw Ya word for heart.
2/23/2020 • 7 minutes, 34 seconds
Mother in Yugambeh
Wadjung (mothers) take care of us. Not just our own wadjung but all types of mothers. Even mother nature! If we listen, we can take care of her too.
2/16/2020 • 8 minutes
Honey possum in Noongar
We’re back in the Noongar Nation to learn about a very small but important animal. Keep your eyes peeled for ngoolboongoor (honey possum) in the banksia!
2/9/2020 • 8 minutes, 28 seconds
Rain in Tiwi
It’s wet season on the Tiwi Islands. Listen to the frogs sing! Malcolm teaches us about Tiwi weather knowledge and pakitiringa (rain).
2/2/2020 • 7 minutes, 34 seconds
Strength in Kalaw Kawaw Ya
We visit the mangrove swamps of Saibai in the Torres Strait, where Aaron shows us there are many ways to be strong in Kalaw Kawaw Ya.
1/26/2020 • 7 minutes, 28 seconds
Moon in Yugambeh
The gibam (moon) is very important. She controls the tides and lights up the night sky. Grab your torch and let’s visit Yugambeh Country at night.
1/19/2020 • 7 minutes, 24 seconds
Whale in Noongar
We’re whale watching on Wirlomin Noongar Country, on the south coast of Western Australia. Cassie shares the Noongar word for these gentle giants.
1/12/2020 • 7 minutes, 45 seconds
Stars in Arabana
Grab your torch because its night time in the Arabana desert. Lakota tells us all about the stars and the stories of the night sky.
9/15/2019 • 8 minutes, 34 seconds
Shoes in Gamilaraay
We’re back on Gamilaroi Country to visit Rudi's mum, Kerry. Get your mundhuis (shoes) on, we're going on a bushwalk!
9/8/2019 • 6 minutes, 57 seconds
Saltwater in Yawuru
Let's have a little yarn by the beach, on Yawuru Country. Listen to the waves with Dalisa as she shares the word for ‘saltwater’ in Yawuru.
9/1/2019 • 6 minutes, 50 seconds
Box Jellyfish in Batjamalh
There are more than four seasons in Wadjigany Country, let’s look for changes in nature with our friend Maree. Watch out for meme (box jellyfish) in the wet season!
8/25/2019 • 7 minutes, 21 seconds
Play in palawa kani
What’s your favourite game? Tessa shows us how ‘to play’ in palawa kani.
8/18/2019 • 7 minutes, 6 seconds
Paint Up in Arabana
It's a very special time when Kati Thanda (Lake Eyre) fills with water and all the animals return to Arabana Country! Let's celebrate and learn to paint up with Lakota.
8/11/2019 • 7 minutes, 54 seconds
Storm cloud in Gamilaraay
Look up in the sky, what can you see? Big, fluffy clouds! Today on Gamilaroi Country, Kerry shares the Gamilaraay word for ‘storm cloud’.
8/4/2019 • 6 minutes, 41 seconds
Children in Yawuru
Today we’re listening to songs by the sea! Dalisa tell us why babagarra (children) are the future of Yawuru language.
7/28/2019 • 6 minutes, 7 seconds
Mud Crab in Batjamalh
Today we travel to Wadjigany Country in the Top End to meet Maree and go looking for marrutj (mud crap). Snap, snap!
7/21/2019 • 7 minutes, 26 seconds
Family in palawa kani
Today in lutruwita (Tasmania) we learn all about palawa takariliya (family) with our friend Tessa.
7/14/2019 • 6 minutes, 57 seconds
Individuality in Arabana
Today we journey to Kati Thanda (Lake Eyre) on Arabana Country, where Lakota shares the Arabana word for something that makes us all unique - our mungara!
7/7/2019 • 6 minutes, 55 seconds
Emu in Gamilaraay
Let’s travel to Gamilaroi Country to meet Rudi’s mum, Kerry! Keep your eyes peeled for dhinawan (emu) tracks.
6/30/2019 • 7 minutes, 13 seconds
Spiderweb in Yawuru
Wanggarranggarra (spiderwebs) make great traps - let’s learn the word in Yawuru from Dalisa and see what else we can catch.
6/23/2019 • 6 minutes, 36 seconds
Crocodile in Batjamalh
Stay back from the water’s edge on Wadjigany Country, Maree is sharing the Batjamalh word for a big reptile with pointy teeth - a wilerr (saltwater crocodile).
6/23/2019 • 6 minutes, 6 seconds
Mum in palawa kani
Let’s head to lutruwita (Tasmania) where Tessa is going to share with us the palawa word for a special person in our lives, our ningi (mum).
6/23/2019 • 5 minutes, 44 seconds
Welcome to Little Yarns
Australia is full of diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nations. From Gamilaroi to Yawuru, palawa to Wadjigany, each mob has its own language, stories and culture. Journey with us each week to listen to the sounds of Country and have a little yarn.
