Tanner comes from a long line of artists. Peter Yellowhair, Tanner's great grandfather, was one of the last traditional medicine men. He had all sorts of amazing talents including silversmithing. Tanners grandfather, Robert Yellowhair, was a famous painter and silversmith. He has paintings featured in a Smithsonian as well as the White House. Tanner's father, Loren Yellowhair, is very well know for his beautiful work with Yellowhair Buckles. You can see Loren's buckle frequently worn by Pat McAfee on his show. That is where Tanner learned the art of silversmithing. He spent hours with his dad making belt buckles as early as age 10. In 2017, Tanner decided to start his own business focusing  mainly on turquoise jewelry. And thus Native Gems was born.