Danah Rosales
a fierce leader, mother of two, and ‘New Legend Mother Maldita Siriano’ in Toronto’s kiki ballroom scene
What the Nominator shared: ...always keeps community in mind, is selfless and always in a good mood, always present and ready to work and learn and build. Very professional and very hard working and passionate. Such an asset! She deserves a lot of recognition. She tirelessly educates and participates in Canadian Ballroom scene and truly represents what it means to be a part of that community as a Voguer, and House mother. She's a trailblazer and a Filipina-Canadian in dance! There aren't many Filipinas who commit to being a dancer full time - aside from being an actual mother of two - that's really inspiring.
In their own words: Throughout this journey, It's been a never ending blessing to be in community with people whom I admire, respect and look up to. Witnessing artist-led families and solo-parents continuing to create, make, teach, grow, evolve and contribute to the bigger picture has been inspiring me to keep going; to show my littles that living your dreams can be a reality. Without the love and support from my Mother, siblings and cousins from family both biological and chosen, artist colleagues, teachers and mentors, ballroom and dance communities, the contributions I've made wouldn't be possible. Now that resources are becoming more accessible compared to the past, we don't stop there. We continue to create and build the future we want to be part of. Thank you to those who see it for me and continue to. I value and wish for more love, representation, inclusivity, cultural preservation, collaboration, kapwa, and the fostering of creativity while celebrating diversity within the queer and asian diaspora dance community.
CanAsian Dance is situated in Tkaronto, a Mohawk word meaning “the place in the water where the trees are standing.” It is the traditional territory of many nations, including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples, and it continues to be the home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.
This land is under the Dish with One Spoon covenant, an agreement between the Anishinaabeg and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. This land is a dish to be shared and cared for and we all share one spoon; the spoon is to be used to take only what is needed and to leave enough for others, thus ensuring a viable and abundant future. We recognize the enduring resilience of Indigenous peoples and we acknowledge that we are accountable to these relationships and these agreements.
We carry these values of responsibility in sharing and caring in abundance with consideration of not only ourselves but of our communities that we share together.
