On May 2nd, inside the Kamloops courthouse, situated on unceded Secwépemc territory; four land defenders, known as the Tiny House Warriors, were given their sentences stemming from an incident which took place on September 15th, 2021.
The Tiny House Warriors are a Secwépemc-led resistance opposing the Trans Mountain pipeline’s expansion on their unceded territory. In 2018, the group set up several mobile tiny homes along Murtle Lake Road in “Blue River” on Secwepemcúl’ecw; making their opposition to the pipeline project known.
Several Tiny House Warriors were arrested on Sept. 15, 2021, following a physical confrontation with TMX security personnel at a man camp built to house transient pipeline workers, situated directly next to the Tiny House Warriors village.
Four Tiny House Warriors were found guilty on two mischief charges, causing a public disturbance, and loitering. Secwepemc Land Defender, Mayuk Manuel was also convicted of resisting or obstructing an arrest; while also being found guilty of breaching her release order prohibiting her from obstructing a Trans Mountain worksite or being within five meters of any Trans Mountain employee.
Isha Jules, one of several Tiny House Warriors arrested on September 15th, 2021 was found guilty of two assault charges, while Sami Nasr was found guilty of assault with a weapon. Nasr and Tricia Charlie were found guilty of breaking and entering, as well as resisting and obstructing an arrest.
All Four Tiny House Warriors have been sentenced to a total of 3 years house arrest and/or probation, along with numerous conditions including a weapons ban, travel restrictions and community service. Manuel, Jules and Nsar have been sentenced to probation following the completion of house arrest; while Charlie has been sentenced to 3 years of probation, with no house arrest.
“It’s all really disheartening to have to do house arrest because that’s a freedom of movement, that’s a part of our aboriginal title and rights; Freedom of movement, freedom to continue to practice medicine picking, berry harvesting, all the ceremonies that come up throughout the year. “says Kanahus Manuel, Mayuk Manuel’s twin sister.
“We’d rather do the community service hours then pay this victim impact fine, because that could cause us a lot of hardship; as opposed to just doing work in our community.” Says Mayuk Manuel.
“That was hard to listen to everything. I never had a chance to do house arrest; I just went straight to jail the other times. So, I guess they’re giving me a chance with house arrest; But, I really wanted to get absolute discharges because there was assaults that happened on all of us. There was an engagement order that was on women and children. We were victim’s in this situation in a lot of ways.”
The four Tiny House Warriors convicted of crimes committed on unceded Secwepemc Territory, according to the Canadian Criminal Code, are set to begin their sentences on May 5th, 2025.
