CONTENT WARNING: 

This exhibition includes themes of loss, grief, mourning, and substance use. 

Hǫǫsǫǫ dìik’analta’ de’ (take care of yourself).

As a way to process grief and loss, Teresa Vander Meer-Chasse has created a literal and metaphorical shelter that has been reclaimed, reconstructed, and revitalized. Having found herself in deep internal conflict following the loss of yet another family member to substance use, Vander Meer-Chase invites you to enter Nee’ Shah | Our House to witness the importance of awakening sleeping materials as a method of navigating loss. Through the processing of natural materials with her family, Vander Meer-Chasse attempts to empower you to witness universal cycles of loss, grief, and mourning.

Teresa Vander Meer-Chassé reflects on the exhibition:

“Nee’ Shah | Our House began while pursuing my Masters of Fine Arts at Concordia University under the guidance and influence of my Grandma Marilyn John. The exhibition explores themes of grief, loss, and remembrance. By way of patches, I translate text I have sent to family members that I have lost or are currently experiencing substance use disorder. I do not personally experience substance use disorder; I am only a witness and a loved one to many that are experiencing or have experienced substance use disorder. Symbols, colours, and patterns that represent my Upper Tanana, Frisian, and French families and communities are present throughout the tent and act as protection, grounding, and connection. Natural materials were collected and processed collaboratively as a family and became a daily ritual in my self-growth and grief recovery.

A special tsin’’įį choh (big thank you) to everyone that has stood by my side as I grieve the recent passings of my Grandma Marilyn John, Brother Stewart Chassé, Uncle Patrick Johnny, Uncle Peter van der Meer, and Cousin Duncan Stephen.

I have been blessed with an abundance of teachers throughout my life, who share with me teachings, memories, stories, and language. This journey would not have been possible without contributors and supporters. Tsin’įį choh to my Ancestors, my family, my friends, my moosehide and fish tanning teachers, my Upper Tanana language teachers, and White River First Nation.”

Please note that the exhibition opening will be an alcohol-free event and a variety of non-alcoholic beverages will be available for free.

About the Artist:

Dineh k’èh Ddhälh kit Nelnah shǫǫsį’, nòodlèey k’èh Teresa Vander Meer-Chassé shǫǫsį’. Ts’òogot Gaay ts’änh diht’eh. Tthèe Tsa’ Niik ts’änh diht’eh. Amiskwaciy Wâskahikan dänh shih hǫǫłįį. Kwanlin dänh nìidhihshąąn. METULIYE Camosak tah huht’įįn. Shnąą Ttthìi’ Elgąy mǫǫsį’. Shnąą wunąą stsǫǫ Stsaay Ch’idzǜü’ mǫǫsì’, wunąą Nii’ii Jaiy, wunąą Laats’iih’ol, wunąą Gàan Dànihtl’įǫ. Shnąą wuta’ sts’aay Sid van der Meer moosi’. Shta’ Wilfred Chassé mǫǫsį’. Shta’ wunaa stsǫǫ Helen Chassé mǫǫsį’. Shta’ wuta’ sts’aay Louis Chassé mǫǫsį’.

Teresa Vander Meer-Chassé is a proud Niisüü Member of White River First Nation from Beaver Creek, Yukon and Alaska. She currently resides on Songhees, Esquimalt and W̱SÁNEĆ Territories in Victoria, British Columbia, although she travels home to the Yukon as often as she can. She is an Upper Tanana, Frisian, and French visual artist and curator. Her visual arts practice is invested in the awakening of sleeping materials and the reanimation of found objects that are rooted in understandings of identity. She has recently been exploring themes of grief, loss, family, community, and relationships in her installation works.

Teresa Vander Meer-Chassé Instagram page: www.instagram.com/teresasvc

Teresa Vander Meer-Chassé Website: www.teresavandermeerchasse.ca

Teresa Vander Meer-Chassé Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ddhalhkitnelnah

Photo taken from inside of Taathǜh courtesy of Teresa Vander Meer-Chassé and Mike Thomas.