Michelle 'Ky' Hanitjio
Dancer, choreographer, editor, co-founder of a queer colletive called Prixm and also an active member and leader in the ballroom community
What the Nominator shared: I nominated them not only because they're my friend, but also as a colleague and a fellow leader within the scene. Ky always takes initiative and puts a lot of care and thought into different communities, and aims to be more accessible when it comes to helping different dance and ballroom communities. I remember when they first started learning Old Way vogue (or Pop, Dip, and Spin, as we call it), they essentially learned on their own and were the only one really walking functions and representing the style of vogue in Toronto for the newer generation of ballroom kids. However, they didn't just stop at learning, but also worked at inspiring others and sharing knowledge and resources with the community. And that's just ballroom!
They also lead and organize different events, and especially help with creative safer spaces for QTBIPOC communities. I've had such a privilege working with them not only in ballroom, but also in different projects, such as Housewerk, which is a bi-weekly dance space for queer folks to engage with house and disco music. They also work on filming, editing, and directing other projects in their organization Prixm, and do both music video and live performances.
Photo by Madeline HanitijoIn their own words: I feel so fortunate to be surrounded by passionate movers and community members in Toronto's street dance and ballroom scenes. I hope we can create more space for QTBIPOC folks, and continue to be the change we want to see, as we represent our cultures and communities.
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.
Land Acknowledgement
We are grateful to the following funding partners for their ongoing support
