Inheritance / TOLTEKATLAJTO

Heritage (TOLTEKATLAJTO in Nahuatl) is a dance-theatre performance that explores the strength and resilience of women through the themes of colonization, identity, and mixed heritage. Inspired by the story of the author’s grandmother, a Nahuatl Indigenous woman, and by the figure of La Malinche, the performance blends dance, poetry, masks, and costumes to celebrate both Mexican and Spanish cultures within a Canadian context.

The piece addresses the issue of missing Indigenous women in Mexico and Canada, as well as the stories of marginalized women—particularly Indigenous and immigrant women whose voices have often been silenced. It draws parallels between these realities while questioning the roles imposed on women throughout history and exploring Métis identity.

A production born from two artistic residencies at Ondinnok – Indigenous Theatre Company (Montreal)

Writing: Lorena Trigos
Performance: Lorena Trigos and Daniela Carmona
Co-writing and sound design: Iman Ali

Lorena Trigos is a Nahua Métis artist born in Tenochtitlan (Mexico City). She studied in Mexico, where she earned a degree in arts and interior design with a specialization in scenography and event design. In 2011, she continued her visual arts studies at Emily Carr University in Vancouver. After deciding to remain in Canada, she graduated from the National Theatre School of Canada in 2015 with a degree in set and costume design. Since then, she has worked on various theatre and dance projects, designing costumes, masks, and puppets. Throughout her youth, Lorena studied dance—particularly flamenco—which she continues to practice in Montreal at various dance schools.

Daniela Carmona Sanchez was also born in Tenochtitlan (Mexico City) as a Mexica-Nahua. A graduate of the National School of Classical and Contemporary Dance at the National Institute of Fine Arts (2016), she received a scholarship from the Limón Institute for an intensive workshop in Los Angeles (2015). She danced with Barro Rojo Arte Escénico (2014–2018), performing at festivals in Mexico, Colombia, the United States, and Côte d’Ivoire. She collaborated with Himangini Puri in India (2018) and participated in Carmen at the Opéra de Montréal (2019). Her choreographic work has been presented at CCOV, the “Danse Servi au Volant” Festival, and various cultural events. A member of A’nó:wara Dance Theatre since 2019, she joined Red Sky Performance in 2023. Her socially engaged dance practice celebrates ancestral heritage and the transformation of injustice into art.