Artist Merryn Apma Daley grew up not knowing who her family was.
A member of the Stolen Generations, the Arrernte woman was 17 years old when she first found and met her biological birth mother.
And it wan't until she was 22 years old when had the chance to return to Country, Arrernte Country near Mparntwe (Alice Springs).
When she returned, she discovered how many family members had a strong connection to the arts.
"I come from a line of really famous artists and I really didn't know the calibre of it," she said.
"Moving back to the Northern Territory was when it really evolved for me, I'd been given a gift by my people. It was my saviour, it was my healing and I've learned so much."
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Finding her family, and as a result her identity, has translated into Ms Daley's art.
"A lot of my artwork is about where I come from," she said.
"The dots come from the western desert.
"And a lot of my stories are of what my people have told me, stories and places I went."
Ms Daley is no stranger to hardship having grown up not knowing her biological family.
However, when her husband passed away a few years ago, she was unsure how to keep going and shut down her gallery in New South Wales.
She then moved back to Victoria where her children were based.
After a period, Daley found herself wanting to get back into working and discovered APM's Self Employment Assistance Program (formerly NEIS).
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"So I looked into it, rang up the APM and you wouldn't believe it they said sorry Merryn you just missed out," Ms Daley said.
"But a phone call came the next day and said we're accepting you. So I did the NEIS program and that's how I was able to get my shop."
Working with her mentor, Sharon Harris, Ms Daley was able to set up a new shop in Yamundi, Queensland where she now lives and has gone on to design a ball for Essendon and a collection with furniture brand BFX.
Ms Daley said the program has also allowed her to turn her passion for art into a business she can live off.
And she's able to build real relationships with brands she works with.
"All these people I do have licensing with, I make sure they are culturally appropriate about who I am, about my journey, everything," she said.
"You've got to educate them because it's a beautiful relationship when you do develop it.
"So far I've been really blessed, and I believe that my grandmother is with me right now."
