Kanahus Manuel facts for kids

Kanahus Manuel, also known as Kanahus Freedom, is an Indigenous activist from the Secwepemc and Ktunaxa nations in British Columbia, Canada. She is a traditional birth keeper, which means she helps families during childbirth. Kanahus is also a member of the activist group called Tiny House Warriors.

She chose not to register her four children with the government. This was a way to protest government rules and to show that her children are members of First Nations communities, independent of government systems. This action is part of a larger movement called decolonization, which aims to reclaim Indigenous rights and ways of life.

Kanahus Manuel's Family and Background

Kanahus Manuel is a member of the Neskonlith Indian Band in British Columbia. She was born with a twin sister, Mayuk Manuel. They grew up in a family that has a long history of standing up for Indigenous rights.

A Family of Activists

Kanahus's parents, Beverly and Arthur Manuel, were both activists. Her father, Arthur, followed in the footsteps of his own father, George Manuel. George Manuel was a very important leader. He was the national chief of the National Indian Brotherhood from 1970 to 1976. He also helped start the World Council of Indigenous Peoples.

Kanahus has aunts who are also well-known. Her aunt Doreen Manuel is a filmmaker, and her aunt Vera Manuel is a poet and playwright.

Her Children and Their Births

In 2018, Kanahus Manuel married Orlando Watley, who is from the Chickasaw nation. Kanahus has four children. All of them were born outside of a hospital. She decided not to get birth certificates for them. This was a way to protest government control and to highlight their status as First Nations members.

Kanahus Manuel's Activism

Kanahus Manuel is known for her work against large development projects in British Columbia. These projects often involve tourism or industry. She has spoken out against developments like Sun Peaks Resort and the company Imperial Metals Corp. She also protested after the Mount Polley mine spill.

The Tiny House Warriors Movement

Starting in 2017, Kanahus became a key part of the Tiny House Warriors movement. This group builds small houses to place in the path of the Trans Mountain Pipeline. This action helps to show that the Secwepemc people have control over their traditional lands, where the pipeline company wants to build.

On July 15, 2018, Kanahus Manuel was arrested by the RCMP because of her involvement with the Tiny House Warriors. She was arrested again in October 2019 during another protest against the Trans Mountain pipeline.

Radio Host and Writer

Kanahus Manuel also hosts and produces a radio show called Creating A Culture of Resistance. This show is on Wolf Paw Radio and features interviews with activists from different cultures. She also contributed to a book in 2017 called Whose Land Is It Anyway? A Manual for Decolonization.

Kanahus Manuel in Films

Kanahus Manuel has appeared in documentary films that highlight her activism and beliefs.

• She was in Freedom Babies (2018), a documentary made by her aunt Doreen Manuel. This film explores Kanahus's choice not to register her children's births with the government.
• Kanahus was also featured in Cody Lucich's documentary film Akicita: The Battle of Standing Rock (2018). This film focuses on the Standing Rock protests that happened in 2016 and 2017. Thousands of activists gathered to oppose the building of the Dakota Access Pipeline near Indigenous lands in the United States.