Highlights<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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• Born in Toronto in 1953 to St. Lucian, Barbadian, and Indigenous Mohawk parents, Skanks became a captivating dancer and model despite battling lupus throughout her life.<\/li>\r\n \t
• She partnered with dancer Len Henry in the late 1980s for runway shows, creating magical jazz-inspired performances that compensated for her physical limitations with powerful stage presence.<\/li>\r\n \t
• She and Henry were among the few Black talents in the spotlight and became admired role models in the community.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul><\/span><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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  Early Life and Career<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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  A mesmerizingly talented young woman dominated the Canadian National Exhibition stage in Toronto with her powerful presence. As she danced around from one corner to the next, she captivated observer Len Henry<\/a> as not only the most dynamic performer, but as the only Black girl on the stage.<\/p>

  When the CNE opens at the end of August, everyone in Toronto knows that summer is coming to an end. For Henry, going to the CNE that day meant the beginning of a new modelling and dancing career, and a friendship with the one and only, Marianne Skanks.<\/p>

  It was the late 80s when their friendship blossomed after they were asked to dance together in runway shows. \u201cWe were the fabulous Len and Marianne,\u201d recalls Henry, now chief executive and founder of Delectant Media.\u00a0 \u201cShe was just brilliant. Brilliant. Brilliant. Incredible energy on the runway. Stylish. All of that.\u201d<\/p>

  Throughout her life, Skanks suffered from lupus<\/a>, a chronic disease that causes inflammation in the body. This was a very big and private part of their relationship, reveals Henry. “She wasn\u2019t always able to be at 100 percent, but she compensated for that with her form and power.”<\/p>

  They were a team, and Henry felt it was his job to protect Skanks when they danced together. Their choreography was built around her physical capability, and when they got on stage, it was magic.<\/p>

  Marianne \u201cKaterina\u201d Skanks Howell was a dancer, model and designer, who took after her mother, Ola Marie\u00a0 Shepherd Skanks <\/a>in this regard. Her mother was a pioneering figure in the development of African diasporic dances in Canada.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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  She was just brilliant. Brilliant. Brilliant. Incredible energy on the runway. Stylish. All of that.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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