Kanahus Manuel facts for kids

Kanahus Manuel, also known as Kanahus Freedom, is an Indigenous activist from British Columbia, Canada. She is part of the Secwepemc and Ktunaxa nations.

Kanahus is a "birth keeper," which means she helps people give birth outside of hospitals. She is also a member of an activist group called the Tiny House Warriors.

She chose not to register her four children with the Canadian government. This was a way to protest government rules. It also showed her children's strong connection to their First Nations heritage. This act is part of a bigger idea called decolonization, which means reclaiming Indigenous ways of life.

Kanahus Manuel's Family

Kanahus Manuel is a member of the Neskonlith Indian Band in British Columbia. She was born a twin; her sister's name is Mayuk Manuel.

Kanahus comes from a family that is very involved in activism. Her parents are Beverly and Arthur Manuel. Her father was an activist, just like his father before him.

Her grandfather, George Manuel, was an 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's aunt, Doreen Manuel, is a filmmaker. Her other aunt, Vera Manuel, is a poet and playwright.

In 2018, Kanahus married Orlando Watley. He is from the Chickasaw nation. Orlando has been in a prison in California since 1994.

Kanahus has four children. All of them were born outside of a hospital. She did not get birth certificates for them. This means they are not officially registered with the government. By birth, they could be "status Indians" in Canada and get certain benefits. But Kanahus wanted them to be free from government rules.

Standing Up for Rights

Kanahus Manuel is well known for her activism. She often protests against big company projects in British Columbia. These projects can be for tourism or industry.

She has spoken out against places like Sun Peaks Resort. She also protested against Imperial Metals, especially after the Mount Polley mine spill. Imperial Metals even tried to get a court order to stop her and others from blocking their work.

In 2017, Kanahus joined the Tiny House Warriors movement. This group started building small houses. They planned to place these houses in the path of the Trans Mountain Pipeline. This was a way to show that the land belongs to the Secwepemc people. The company wanted to build part of the pipeline on this traditional territory.

On July 15, 2018, the RCMP arrested Kanahus. This was because of her part in the Tiny House Warrior resistance. In October 2019, she was arrested again by the RCMP during another protest against the Trans Mountain pipeline.

Kanahus also hosts and produces a radio show. It's called Creating A Culture of Resistance on Wolf Paw Radio. On her show, she talks to activists from many different cultures.

Kanahus in Films

Kanahus Manuel has been featured in documentary films:

• She appeared in Freedom Babies (2018). This film was made by her aunt, Doreen Manuel. It explores why Kanahus chose not to register her children with the government.
• Kanahus was also in Akicita: The Battle of Standing Rock (2018). This film by Cody Lucich focuses on the Standing Rock protests from 2016 to 2017. Thousands of activists gathered to oppose the Dakota Access Pipeline. This pipeline was planned to cross and go near Indigenous land in the United States.

Her Writings

Kanahus Manuel has also shared her ideas in writing:

• Kanahus, Manuel. 2017. "Decolonization: The frontline struggle" in Whose Land Is It Anyway? A Manual for Decolonization. Federation of Post-Secondary Educators of BC.