Fueled by a connection to his ancestors and culture, recent BYU grad Eugene Tapahe is on a mission to heal hearts through Native American dance.
Tapahe, an award-winning photographer and member of the Diné Navajo nation, says he was inspired to launch a new project during the pandemic – a time of uncertainty for many people around the globe. His newly created project, Art Heals: The Jingle Dress Project, was based on a Native American traditional dance of healing.
With his daughters, Dion and Erin as dancers, Tapahe traveled to significant indigenous sites to photograph the dance. Each dancer’s clothing was lined with small metal cones that created harmony and energy as the dance was performed. Since 2020, the ethereal chimes of the jingle dress—each sound symbolizing a prayer—have resonated throughout 150 locations including national parks, universities, and communities.
Tapahe says the experience has been rejuvenating and he’s been inspired by the way audiences have received his work and shown interest in learning about Native American traditions and current issues.
“When you're trying to make a difference, I've realized that the more I can touch people's hearts and be able to change hearts, that will also change minds too,” said Tapahe.
After graduating from BYU in 1992 with a degree in graphic design, Tapahe was baptized as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, thanks in part to the examples of friends he developed during his time as a student.
“I wanted my daughters to have more than what I could give them,” he said. “I wanted them to have that spiritual feeling in their lives.”
Tapahe returned to BYU and received a master's degree in fine arts last April. To learn more, follow The Jingle Dress Project on Instagram.
