Spiritual, Cultural and Community Center
About Us
Welcome to TUA - Terreiro de Umbanda Águia Dourada, a Spiritual, Cultural, and Community Center.
TUA is a not-for-profit organization based in Toronto, Canada, dedicated to preserving, promoting, and celebrating Afro-Indigenous Brazilian spirituality, culture, and community values.
Founded in Brazil in 2009 and now rooted in the multicultural landscape of Toronto, our mission is to foster inclusive, anti-racist, and decolonial spaces where individuals of all backgrounds - especially those from marginalized communities - can find support, connection, and empowerment.
Our community center serves as a spiritual, cultural, and social hub, offering a space for healing, belonging, and the sharing of ancestral knowledge through the rich traditions of Umbanda.These include not only sacred ceremonies (giras), but also cultural expressions such as Afro-Indigenous dance, traditional percussion (including atabaques, agogôs, and maracás), and storytelling — all of which are integral to our identity and practices.
We approach Umbanda with deep respect and reverence, keeping ancestral wisdom alive while also engaging in broader community efforts that promote inclusion, cultural pride, and holistic well-being.
Our commitment to Afro-Brazilian heritage extends beyond spirituality - it is a community-driven mission centered on education, empowerment, and social impact.
Our Commitment
Community is at the center of everything we do.
Guided by ethics, integrity, and collective responsibility, we honor Afro-Indigenous Brazilian traditions while creating inclusive spaces where all are welcome — regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, immigration status, or background.
We center the voices of Black and Indigenous peoples, and work to empower women and gender-diverse individuals. Our commitment includes social action and solidarity with immigrants, racialized communities, and the LGBTQIAPN+ population.
TUA is a space for reflection, connection, and collective care - where strategies for survival and resistance can be shared, especially among those navigating life as immigrants or from historically marginalized communities.
Our Values:
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Ethics, integrity, and collective responsibility as the foundation of all our actions
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Cultural preservation and celebration of Afro-Indigenous Brazilian traditions
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Welcoming, inclusion, and solidarity with all individuals, regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, immigration status, or background
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Empowerment of women and gender-diverse individuals, centering Black and Indigenous voices
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Community engagement and social action, with special attention to immigrants, Black and racialized communities, and the LGBTQIAPN+ population
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Environmental and social responsibility, honoring our sacred connection with nature
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Collective thinking and action (Aquilombamento) as a path to resistance, resilience, and communal well-being.
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Respect for elders, generous listening, and ethical relationships rooted in reciprocity
Founder
Danielle Miranda de Oyá
Danielle Miranda de Oyá is the Founder and Director of Spiritual and Community Affairs at TUA – Terreiro de Umbanda Águia Dourada, and Co-CEO of Pinch, a recruitment company specializing in market research in Brazil.
Originally from Brazil, Danielle holds a Business degree with a focus on Quality Management from University of Belas Artes (São Paulo) and a specialization in Marketing Research from the University of Toronto.
An Iyálorìṣa with over 20 years of experience in Afro-Indigenous Brazilian traditions, Danielle dedicates her life to the practice, preservation, and transmission of ancestral wisdom.
Community Highlights in Toronto
As part of our ongoing efforts to promote dialogue, cultural education, and spiritual connection in the diaspora, TUA has participated in several meaningful initiatives in Toronto. These activities strengthen our mission to share Afro-Indigenous Brazilian spirituality and culture across diverse communities.
Community & Cultural Engagement:
At TUA, we believe in the power of community. Our efforts include:
Educational courses on Afro-Indigenous Brazilian culture in the diaspora, fostering greater understanding and appreciation of these traditions.
Percussion classes rooted in Afro-Indigenous Brazilian culture, celebrating rhythm, resistance, and community.
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Support for women, empowerment initiatives, and creating spaces for healing and shared experiences.
Support for newcomers (new immigrants) to Canada, including practical advice, community integration resources, and emotional support to help them adjust to their new lives.
Cooking experiences rooted in Afro-Indigenous Brazilian traditions and flavors.
Spiritual counseling to guide individuals in their journeys, helping them find clarity, purpose, and healing through our ancestral practices.
Affiliations:
TUA is proudly affiliated with the CCRIAS (Comunidade da Compreensão e da Restauração Ìlè Áṣẹ Ṣàngó), an Afro-Brazilian spiritual community dedicated to preserving and strengthening sacred ancestral traditions.
Under the mentorship of Professor Dr. Sidnei Nogueira — a respected babalorixá, scholar, and member of UNESCO’s Consultative Body for Social and Spiritual Transformation (SOST) — we are committed to fostering a decolonial, inclusive, and spiritually grounded environment for all.
This affiliation honors the sacred lineage of African-based spiritual practices and ensures that our work remains aligned with the wisdom of the orishas and ancestral teachings, wherever we are in the world.
DONATE
We rely on the generosity of individuals like you to continue our work.
To make a donation, please send an e-transfer (Interac) to finance@tuaaguiadourada.com, or contact us to learn more about other ways to contribute.
Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference.
Your donation helps us maintain and expand our spiritual, cultural, and community programs, support marginalized communities, and provide vital services to those in need.