Ms Moreton-Stewart is the South Coast region's representative, and will join six other young Indigenous people on the committee.

She said she was "pretty overwhelmed" when she got the news.

"I was actually at work when I got the call, and I didn't answer it at first because I was under the pump," she said. "My boss told me to take the call though, so I have a feeling she had an idea of what was going on."

Ms Moreton-Stewart already has an idea of the biggest issues she'll discuss as part of the committee.

"The big one, I think, is mental health; that's a national crisis right now with Indigenous youth and children," she said. "It's really a world-wide problem, but particularly down here on the South Coast.

"There are also employment issues, participation rates at school, and drugs and alcohol.

"I don't think we'll be able to stop these issues completely, but hopefully we can decrease some of the negative statistics."

South Coast region councillor, Danny Chapman, welcomed the appointment of Ms Moreton-Stewart.

"Nakia is a strong Walbunja woman from Bodalla who is committed to ensuring that South Coast youth learn more about the land rights network and the opportunities it offers," he said. "She has the drive to make a difference in her community.

"Nakia's previous experience as a mentor with the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience sets her up well to promote youth engagement with land rights."