The nephew of television and film star Ernie Dingo says his uncle would never hurt a child.

Dingo has been charged with slapping a student in the face at a primary school presentation in Carnarvon, on the northern WA coast.

"I reckon Ernie's not done it," Shane Dingo, who lives in Carnavon, told WAtoday.com.au.

"He's hung around kids all his life, since I've known him. I know he wouldn't do it."