Danilo Vélasquez

Danilo Velasquez was born in Nicaragua where he spent his teenage years and early adulthood before immigrating to Canada in 1988 as result of the Sandinistas/Counter-Revolutionary war. He graduated from the Scriptwriting post-graduate program at Algonquin College. Danilo is also a Community Journalist and the Founder of Quienes Somos? (Who Are We?), a social bilingual –English/Spanish- media channel where he is the Producer, Director and Reporter. He has produced Quienes Somos? for 22 years on a volunteer basis which has led him to receive recognition by the mayor of the city of Ottawa, the offices of the Prime Minister of Canada and other organizations.

Danilo will be awarded the “Sovereign Medal” given by the Governor General of Canada for his 20 years of volunteerism. The Sovereign Medal is the highest recognition in the Canadian Honour System given to an individual for his community services.

He has a high respect, admiration and is passionate about Indigenous Culture and wishes to bring awareness through Quienes somos? to the Spanish-speaking community and non-Spanish-speaking newcomers regarding the history of the Indigenous community of Canada.

Danilo is married and has four daughters. He currently lives in Gatineau, Quebec and works for TELUS Health in the service and technical support department.