TANIA LARSSON

Tania Larsson

Tania Larsson designs contemporary, northern Indigenous adornment based on Gwich’in culture, created with land-based materials. She is innovative, driven, and dedicated to her art. Through social media, she promotes her culture, work and her passion for reclaiming Indigenous knowledge. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, with a focus in jewelry and digital arts at the Institute of American Indian Arts, May 2017. She was the apprentice to renown jeweler Keri Ataumbi during two years. Tania is one of the founding members of Dene Nahjo, an Indigenous innovation collective in Denendeh (Northwest Territories) working to advance social and environmental justice for northern peoples and promote Indigenous leadership. Born and raised in France, she is a Gwich’in and Swedish woman. Her late mother Shirley Firth was born on the trapline in Aklavik, Northwest Territories and went on to become a four-time Olympian who represented Canada in cross-country skiing. At the age of fifteen, Tania moved to Canada with her family to reconnect with her culture and the Gwich’in land. She has consistently sought opportunities to deepen her understanding of history and culture and to apply this learning to her artistic work.