The Dress Project

May 15, 2022

[embedded content] Eugene Tapahe and Jingle Dancers Erin Tapahe, Dion Tapahe, Sunni Begay and JoAnni Begay work to raise awareness, document spiritual places and provide hope through art, dance and culture through The Jingle Dress Project: Our 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 1918-19. 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.