Million-dollar grants were given to 27 AMP Foundation Tomorrow Maker Award recipients to be put towards projects they are passionate about.

In Miss Ashby's case, founder and director of social change agency Guumali, the money will go towards the expansion of The Shed, an evolving studio space for First Nations change makers.

The Shed will be established in Miss Ashby's current place of residency, Darwin, with the hopes of making its way to Wagga.

"It's part of the dream to extend it. I would love to see The Shed branch out. I grew up in Gundagai and Wagga, and my mum, Jenny Ashby, still lives in Wagga and my brother lives in Tumut- so I'd love to see a space like The Shed in Wagga," she said.

"The aspiration is, I can see The Shed being a national movement that's really grounded in community and principles of self-determination.

"We also want to have allies. Yes, it's First Nations for First Nations people, but there's also an opportunity for people with similar values who say yes, we want to walk with you."

Miss Ashby was already preparing to launch The Shed in 2022, but the money will allow for its expansion.

"The Shed is an evolving studio space for changemakers inspired by my own experiences as a business owner and entrepreneur and the lack of spaces available to First Nations people to connect and grow and build their businesses, in a culturally safe space as well.

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"It's a very disjointed system of support that we have across Australia- There are all these organisations that are mainly non-indigenous, not-for-profit or their government institutions that get given money to support indigenous business growth.

"It's very uncoordinated and it works all over the place- we get told to go to this person and ask for this, then they say I can only give you half of what you need, you need to go here and then that person says you need to jump through all of these hoops and then go here.

"The shed is my way of starting this space to say, we want to challenge the current system, the current approach is not working, it needs to be more coordinated and it needs to come from a place of innovation and entrepreneurialism.

"We're saying no to the status quo.

"The Shed is by us for us- it's not government land- it's for First Nations people who need an office, private meeting rooms, mentors and a creative space that celebrates black entrepreneurship."

Looking back at her school years in Wagga, Miss Ashby said she never thought then that she would be where she is now.

"For me, English and art were my big things. Art, being a creative person and English, challenging the system, I didn't think I would be where I am today," she said.

"All I knew was that I wanted to make a change. I wanted to get a good education so I could help my family and my people."

Knowing all too well the challenges First Nations people can face, Miss Ashby wants to deliver a message of encouragement.

"Believe in yourself and back yourself," she said.

"Surround yourself with people who care about you and who believe in you."

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