Teresa Vander Meer-Chassé (b. 1992), affectionately known as Ddhälh kït Nelnah, is an Upper Tanana visual artist, emerging curator, and MFA student. Teresa is a proud member of the White River First Nation of Beaver Creek, Yukon and Alaska. She resides part-time on Lək̓ʷəŋən Territory with her partner Cristopher. She holds a BFA from the University of Victoria in Cultural Anthropology and is currently working towards her Masters in Fine Arts at Concordia University. Teresa learned to bead by watching and listening to her Grandma Marilyn John, an upper Tanana Elder and residential school Survivor. Knowing the importance of cultural revitalization and preservation, Teresa’s Grandma encouraged her to start beading at the young age of eight. Teresa continues to engage in an ongoing mentorship with her Grandma Marilyn that now involves harvesting natural materials and learning her language — Upper Tanana, Scottie Creek Dialect. Teresa is a passionate artist and strongly believes in the importance of preserving her Upper Tanana culture, language, and art. Her work has been shown across Canada, United States, and Iceland and she has work in the Yukon Permanent Art Collection.

Website: www.teresavandermeerchasse.ca

Instagram: @teresasvc

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ddhalhkitnelnah

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