D’Santi Nava was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico on October 31st, 1962. D’Santi grew up embraced by the sounds of Los Panchos and Los Indios, the two musical groups his parents played incessantly, and the constant laughter that filled his home. 

When he was 5, D’Santi knew he was different. When he became jealous of the other boys’ features at his school. After learning about Renee Richards’ public transition, at the age of 15 and observing the backlash from his own family, D’Santi shunned the possibility of transitioning.

D’Santi worked several jobs and played at bars with his party band, where “music with drinking and drugs was the great escape” in his 20s. He worked as a dispatcher at the local Santa Fe police department and realized helping people was his calling. When a shooting at the Santa Fe Fiesta occurred,  and his own nephew was at the center, D’Santi was moved to do more. In the process of seeking justice, he learned of the victim advocate position at the district attorney’s department. For 8 years he worked helping women through their domestic violence cases.

Overwhelmed by the 500 cases on his desk, D’Santi knew it was time for a break. He found an opening to a new interest when his doctor introduced him to Mēxicah medicine and traditions. His interest led him to the ‘Kalpulli Teocalli Ollin’(or Sacred House of Energy), where D’Santi found their spirituality, centered around Mēxicah tradition, fulfilling. 

Kalpulli Teocalli Ollin follows the Red Tezcatlipoca tradition, which emphasizes spirits and the element of fire. D’Santi learned how to heal by surrendering the spirit and learning to trust in faith, or by getting comfortable asking “what does spirit have in mind for me?”

Through CC,  the ‘maestra’ or teacher at his Kalpulli,  D’Santi realized that the best way to honor his spirit was to slowly transition into who he had always been. “Honoring me was helping me to walk authentically.” 

At 52, D’Santi began the process of transitioning, finding  queer people and allies along the way that would support him unconditionally. His proudest moment was changing his birth certificate after transitioning, a move that cemented his identity. Now a pillar  in the LGBTQ+ and two-spirit communities, D’Santi has secured his spot as a respectable leader and an inspiration for his community. In 2016, D’Santi was honored as Mr. Santa Fe Pride.

With the help of CC, D’Santi made a successful return to music, booking gigs and tours and even striking a deal for the distribution of a classical CD. The song “sonrisas”, a heartwarming piece dedicated to his younger sister, won the New Mexico music award in 2017. In 2020, he started Music Monday New Mexico with the mission to record new talent in New Mexico and showcase it on radio. For those who couldn’t go out to perform at bars during the pandemic, these studio recording sessions became their lifeline to music. 

To those seeking to follow their passion, he urges  you to “find your strength and go with it”. To those struggling to be the best unapologetically authentic version of themselves, he stresses that “it’s the way it is, you are who you are. Embrace it, run with it.”

Bio Author: Victor Albañez