Barbara Kaneratonni Diabo is Kanienkeha:ka (Mohawk) of mixed heritage originally from Kahnawake,
now living in Montreal. Ms. Diabo is currently the Artistic Director and Choreographer of A’nó:wara Dance Theatre. An award-winning choreographer and dancer for over 25 years, she specializes in creating works that combine Indigenous traditional dance with contemporary styles, producing unique fusions that speak to many different populations and tastes. Barbara studied theatre, dance and singing at the Native Theatre School, now known as the Centre for Indigenous Theatre, and has a BFA in theatre from Concordia.
Ms. Diabo takes great pride in regularly sharing her culture and has performed across Canada and internationally. Some of her most recent work was performed at the Banff Centre, the Montreal Olympic Stadium, the National Arts Centre, the Confederation Centre for the Arts PEI, the Harbourfront Centre, Place des Arts, the Prismatic Festival Halifax, and Festival Quartiers Danses. In 2021, she was awarded the prestigious Prix de la Danse de Montréal, catégorie Interprète (dancer) and she was one of only 8 dancers in North America invited to perform at the 2015 Gathering of Nations (New Mexico), the world’s largest powwow, in its first-ever hoop dance competition.
Ms. Diabo also works with various organizations, including La Danse sur les routes du Quebec and Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance, to educate, help create safe spaces, and support Indigenous artists across Canada. Her goals are to inspire others, encourage cultural pride, uplift the spirit, and increase education and communication.