The perspectives of young Indigenous people at the decision-making table are crucial and will play a role in driving positive change, NSW Aboriginal Land Council's (NSWALC) new youth co-chairs say.
The peak body has appointed its next Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) with seven members aged 18-15 each representing a pocket of the state and tasked with advising NSWALC on the interests and concerns of young people, as well as engaging them in land rights efforts.
Bundjalung, Gomeori, and Euahlayi woman and member for the North Coast, Illarrah Roberts, and Yuin man and committee member for South Coast, Dre Wicks, have been elected co-chairs.
"This is an honour for me, and I am looking forward to getting straight to work," Ms Roberts said.
"There are key opportunities we have identified to strengthen the role of Aboriginal youth in driving positive change within our communities. I am excited to serve as a Co-Chair, working closely with Dre and the wider YAC to drive these initiatives.
"We will guide the YAC's work, including the implementation of the Youth Engagement Strategy and efforts to strengthen youth engagement within the Land Rights system across New South Wales."
The development of a youth engagement strategy and their role guiding NSWALC on the policies and programs most important to young people in the state are first on the YAC agenda.
Ms Roberts and Mr Wicks are members of Jali and Eden Local Aboriginal Land Councils, respectively.
"It's essential we, as youth, embed cultural identity, leadership, and self-determination in all our initiatives. The YAC will ensure that young Aboriginal peoples' voices are meaningfully engaged in State-based decision making," Mr Wicks said.
"I am looking forward to making young voices heard and showing how Aboriginal youth, as the next generation, can make a change in this State. We will not stand silent anymore."
The Council's YAC was established in 2019, with each Committee serving two-year terms.
Latrell Allan, representing the Northern Region, Lowana Ruttley for Northern Western, Benjamin Paul Duncan Harris for the Wiradjuri Region, Mea-mei Stanbury for Sydney-Newcastle, Jada Hogg for Western Region and Brittney Lavis for the Mid North Coast Region have also been appointed.
"Our Youth Advisory Committee is a fundamental part of NSWALC as they play a pivotal role in engaging and ensuring young Aboriginal peoples across NSW understand the importance of the NSW Aboriginal Land Rights movement," NSWALC deputy chair Ross Hampton said.
"I am excited to work alongside this Committee over the next two years and watch them step into leadership roles within their regions as the voices of the next generation.
"We congratulate all representatives for their leadership, energy and commitment to creating lasting, positive change for young Aboriginal people, and thank all young people who applied to be on the Committee."
NSWALC chair Raymong Kelly said the YAC will ensure young Aboriginal people in the state remain engaged with NSW's land rights movement.
