Driven by his connection to his ancestors and culture, young BYU graduate Eugene Tapahe has made it his mission to heal hearts through Native American dance.

Tapahe, an award-winning photographer and member of the Diné Navajo tribe, says he was inspired to start a new project during the pandemic – a time of uncertainty for many people around the world. His newly created project, “Art Heals: The Jingle Dress Project,” is based on a traditional Native American healing dance.

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 they danced. Since 2020, the ethereal sounds of the jingle dress – each note symbolizing a prayer – have been heard in 150 locations, including national parks, universities and communities.

Tapahe says the experience has been refreshing and he has been inspired by the way audiences have received his work and shown interest in learning more about Native American traditions and current issues.

“When you try to make a change, I’ve realized that the more I can touch people’s hearts and change their hearts, the more their minds will change,” Tapahe said.

After graduating from BYU in 1992 with a degree in graphic design, Tapahe was baptized and became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, thanks in part to the example of the friends he made while in college.

“I wanted my daughters to have more than 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 To Instagram.