The Jingle Dress Project originated from a dream to unite the beauty of the land and the healing power of the jingle dance during these uncertain times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The origin of the jingle dance to the Ojibwe people happened during the influenza pandemic of 1918-1919. It came as a dream to a father whose daughter was sick with the virus. His dream revealed the new dress and dance that had the power to heal. When the dresses were made, they were given to four women to perform the dance. When the little girl heard the sound of the jingles, she became stronger. By the end of the night she was dancing too.

Today’s guest, Eugene Tapahe, also has a dream to take this healing power to the land, to travel and capture a series of images that will document spiritual places where ancestors once walked. The goal is to unite and give hope to the world through art, dance and culture to help us all to heal together. Learn more about the project and support it at: https://tapahe.com/jingle-dress-project.html

Preserving history and telling and conveying important stories is really what PreserveCast is all about. We like to talk to people around the world doing amazing things with history – and that’s precisely what this week’s guest has done with the Jingle Dress Project. Part history, part culture, part art and part healing – this is a powerful project that every American should know about. 

MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST

Eugene Tapahe, Navajo, is a designer, artist and photographer, who specializes in capturing the beautiful landscape and people of the Southwest. He receives inspiration from his grandmother, family, and culture. When Tapahe is on a photo shoot, he feels his ancestors’ presence with him. He feels their love and blessings when he photographs places they once walked. Tapahe hopes you will appreciate his images and stories they tell as he continues his creative journey. Learn more at https://tapahe.com/