Barbara Kaneratonni Diabo

Originally from Kahnawake and now based in Montreal, Barbara Kaneratonni Diabo is the Artistic Director and Choreographer of A’nó:wara Dance Theatre. Her dance journey began with classical ballet at the age of 4, and she later explored various styles such as contemporary dance, jazz, hip-hop, and powwow. In her choreographies, she combines these styles to highlight Indigenous themes and perspectives. She was awarded the Prix de la Danse de Montreal in 2021, followed by the Dora Award for Best Touring Production for her show "Sky Dancers" in 2022. With a brilliant career of performances in theaters, festivals, and schools across Canada and the United States, Barbara actively contributes to the development of Native dance. As the Chair of the Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance, her mission is to promote education, inspire, and foster cultural pride. She has been collaborating with Oktoecho since 2015.