Cuban Dancer Brings Salsa to the 'Northern Lights Capital of the World'

When Yensy García left her native Cuba for a fresh start in Yellowknife, a remote town nestled in the northernmost part of Canada, she never foresaw becoming the first Latin dance instructor in the Northwest Territories' capital.

Hailing from Matanzas, García has carved out a niche in Yellowknife, a city of just over 20,000 people famous globally as the "Northern Lights Capital of the World." Amidst Arctic landscapes, harsh winters, and multicultural communities, she now teaches salsa, merengue, and other Caribbean rhythms to numerous Canadian residents.

Her journey, featured by Canadian media outlet CBC, began 14 years ago in Varadero, where she met the man who would later become her husband. He was a visitor from Yellowknife staying at a hotel on the renowned Cuban beach. By 2023, they had decided to settle in the northern reaches of Canada.

García's arrival coincided with a challenging period in Yellowknife's recent history. Residents were just returning from a massive evacuation due to wildfires that had forced about 19,000 people to flee and devastated over 3.4 million hectares in the area.

However, García was pleasantly surprised to find a community far from isolated. "I've met a lot of people, even Latinos like me. Now we have a great Latino community, and that's amazing," she shared.

One of her initial steps was enrolling in English classes at Collège Nordique, where she encountered a cultural diversity she hadn't expected so close to the Arctic.

"We're sitting together with people from different countries, in the same class, and we're all like family," she recounted.

Building a New Life in Canada

Determined to rebuild her professional life outside Cuba, García participated in an entrepreneurship program organized by the Northwest Territories Economic Development Council (CDETNO). This experience equipped her with the necessary tools to start her own business and gave her the confidence to propose an idea to the Yellowknife City Council.

The proposal was accepted, and she now conducts Latin dance classes twice a week at the ATCO Aquatic Center as part of the city's recreational programs.

Although her artistic training in Matanzas—considered one of the birthplaces of Cuban danzón and rumba—provided her with a strong professional foundation, she acknowledges that teaching students from various cultures has posed new challenges.

"When I tried ballroom dancing, even as a professional, I found it difficult to understand the movements because it's a different form, a different style," she explained.

Adapting and Thriving

This ability to adapt to various dance styles has been central to her success. Among her students is Eva Paul, founder of the Yellowknife Social Dance platform, who praises the positive impact of García's classes.

"Learning from Yensy has been so much fun. I've taken several salsa classes over the years. I've even taught basic salsa, but this is a great opportunity. I'm very grateful for it," Paul stated.

García's story is emblematic of many Cubans who have rebuilt their lives far from the island, carrying with them traditions, knowledge, and cultural expressions that leave a mark even in the most unexpected places. In a city dominated by snow and northern lights, a woman from Matanzas has ensured that the rhythms of Cuba also find their place.