Maya’s immigration journey to Canada shaped her understanding of the systemic barriers that deprive queer people of color of spiritual development. She believed that decolonizing our minds and bodies is the first step toward our true human experience.
In 2024, Maya attended Hollyhock’s Canadian Psychedelic Summit, where she spoke courageously about her experiences as an immigrant, as a trans person, and how psychedelic medicines supported her journey. She called on the psychedelic community to make space for those historically excluded, reminding us of the power of reclaiming our voices.
Maya passed away on April 5, 2025, at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto, surrounded by loved ones. After suffering severe burns in a tragic accident at a sacred site in the Peruvian Amazon, Maya fought with incredible strength to make it home. Though her injuries were too great to survive, she was held in love by her chosen family and community until the end. Maya touched countless lives with her humility, care, and luminous spirit — and her legacy will live on in all those she inspired.
