Teresa Vander Meer-Chassé
Theresa Vander Meer-Chassé, also affectionately known as Ddhälh kït Nelnah, is a proud Niisüü Member of the White River First Nation from Beaver Creek, Yukon, and Alaska. She is a visual artist, curator, arts consultant, and environmental advocate of Dineh (Upper Tanana), Frisian, and French descent, currently residing in Edmonton.
Teresa earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Cultural Anthropology, with a minor in Indigenous Studies, from the University of Victoria in Victoria, B.C., and her Master of Fine Arts in Studio Arts from Concordia University in Montréal, Québec.
Since 2013, Teresa’s work has been presented in more than 40 exhibitions across Canada and is held in numerous public and private collections. Her practice has also been featured in and discussed by several contemporary art publications and academic journals.
Grounded in Indigenous Knowledge and community engagement, Teresa’s curatorial practice seeks to address historical omissions and cultivate new narratives that centre the accurate representation, visibility, and self-determination of Indigenous Peoples in contemporary art. She has curated several significant exhibition projects across Canada that engage with these critical issues.
The Artist-in-Residence (A-I-R) Program was established in 2002 by the Board of Directors and Management of Harcourt House Artist Run Centre as a Millennial Project. Now entering its 23rd season, the program continues to support and champion artistic development across Canada. The A-I-R Program is open to Canadian visual artists working in any studio-based or multidisciplinary practice. Designed to support artists at various stages of their careers, the program helps participants advance their professional trajectory, recognizes the vital role of artists as cultural innovators, and supports the transition of emerging artists into established practices. Residency benefits include: a dedicated, professional studio space, opportunities for research, community engagement, and teaching, and a materials stipend. The program culminates with a solo exhibition of works developed during the residency. The artist receives CARFAC artist’s fees for the final exhibition. The Artist-in-Residence Program offers artists a supportive, focused environment in which to create, reflect, and grow – while also engaging meaningfully with the broader arts community.
Top Image: Installation view of Nee’ Shah | Our House, presented at the Yukon Arts Centre, Courtesy of the artist
