Tarragindi

Unearthing History, for a bright future

The Tarragindi Initiative is a 501 (c) (3) organization that wants to see people in Berrien County thrive.  We use local history, archaeology, and genealogy programming as a catalyst to build connection, good mental health, belonging, and a sense of place in Berrien County. 

We want residents to know the 12,000-year known history of human habitation in this region and the engaging stories that brought these people here.  We want them to know people have been thriving in this region since before the pyramids and Stonehenge were built - and they can too.  Research shows belonging and a sense of place are key elements in academic and personal success, maintaining good mental health and wellbeing, overcoming trauma, community engagement, and stewardship of public places.

The Tarragindi Initiative has a higher goal though.  You don’t stay in an area or invest your time, career, or money in a region that you don’t love.  “Belonging” research suggests this type of programming is the first step in building outstanding young people and retaining them locally, especially those pursuing “knowledge professions” who often leave, never to return.    Their departure leaves significant gaps and lost economic development potential, especially in hard-to-fill essential positions, like medical, education, and technology professionals. “Knowledge Professionals” also have significant potential to develop new service, technology, and manufacturing businesses that will employ others and contribute to the prosperity of the region.  So we are looking back into our region's rich, ancient past, so we can look forward to a prosperous, unified future in a place where we belong and are proud to call home.  
Tarragindi Initiative

Meet our team

Introducing the dedicated individuals behind the Tarragindi Initiative.

Jan Sigvartsen 

BA,  MA,  PhD

Jan Sigvartsen PhD, has taught archaeology and ancient religion classes at Andrews University, Michigan, and the Theologische Hochschule Friedensau, a government accredited university in Germany. At the latter, he was also the institution's PhD Programs Director, and Associate Director of their Archaeology Research Institute and its archaeological museum. He has an extensive scholarly publication and research record and has participated in archaeological digs in the USA and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.  

He is currently the Archaeological Director of the Tarragindi Archaeological Dig programs that operate in Berrien County through Berrien Springs School District programming and funding from the Tarragindi Initiative.

He is a noted world expert in afterlife beliefs. His current research is investigating afterlife beliefs in ancient indigenous and early European settler people of Berrien County, to determine if psychological trauma was a catalyst for the development of those beliefs. 

He believes local archaeology and history help people connect with others and build strong communities with bright futures.

Leanne Sigvartsen

BA Psych,  PGD Psych,  MCouns

Leanne Sigvartsen originally trained as a psychologist in Australia and spent over a decade as a teen and young adult counselor. She then transitioned to research project management, working on a number of projects, including being the Research and Special Projects Director at the Chicago-based Center for Collaborative Study of Trauma, Health Equity, and Neurobiology. 

Her current research focus is using local archaeology, history, and genealogy programming to address mental health, wellbeing, and community engagement in underserved communities. She is responsible for developing vibrant child and adult programming for the Tarragindi Initiative's local archaeology, history, and genealogy programs that have a community engagement, wellbeing, and mental health focus.

She wants to see the young people of Berrien County succeed, be happy, and grow into thriving adults who have a sense of place and belonging in Berrien County.  She wants to see them engaged in their communities and motivated contributors to the economic success and development of our region - especially those who have experienced trauma and adverse childhood experiences.
Jan Sigvartsen Website Leanne Sigvartsen Website