One of the most eccentric of the island's rulers, Kána came to international attention in 2022 when he was embroiled in what become known as the "Concrete Mixer Man Case." As Má'ita, he has earned a reputation as a compratively hands-on ruler, although maintaining a strictly non-partisan position on political matters.
One of the most eccentric of the island's rulers, Kána came to international attention in 2022 when he was embroiled in what become known as the "Concrete Mixer Man Case." As Má'ita, he has earned a reputation as a compratively hands-on ruler, although maintaining a strictly non-partisan position on political matters.
==Early life and education==
==Early life==
Kana was born on 12 May 1977 in Weia to Tenqel Meipa and Valeia Tara.<ref name=": 8a">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Who am I?"]. ''kana.faiose''. Retrieved 6 May 2022.</ref> He was the youngest of three children, having two older sisters. His father was a husbandman who briefly served as a representative in the village's local council. His mother was a housewife, having previously worked as a medical assistant at the local health centre.<ref name=": 9a">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Kana: I know what it's like to not have a lot"]. ''Radio and Television Freice''. Retrieved 11 January 2023.</ref> Kana has described his family as "loving but dysfunctional", relating how his parents separated when he was ten and only reconciling once he had left for university.<ref name=": 9a">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Kana: I know what it's like to not have a lot"]. ''Radio and Television Freice''. Retrieved 11 January 2023.</ref>
Kána was the elder son and one of eight children of Talakel Máirai, who served as Má'ita from 1993 to 2023, and the singer Málelidi Avautima. From a young age, Kána enjoyed a very close relationship with his mother, who was more understanding of and attentive to his sensibilities than his father. He has since said of his parents that his father "distrusted what he saw as effeminacy" whilst his mother "understood me."
Kana attended Queen Diana University, graduating with a degree in civil engineering in 1998.<ref name=": 4a">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Who is the 'Mixer Man' taking Freician politics by storm?"]. ''Guri Telegraph''. Retrieved 15 June 2022.</ref> He returned to Freice on graduation and worked with a succession of construction companies. In 2001, he joined Bray and Colley as a junior assistant engineer, working on several projects, including the restoration of Kaimo Potio'i.<ref name=": 9a">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Kana: I know what it's like to not have a lot"]. ''Radio and Television Freice''. Retrieved 11 January 2023.</ref> Between 2010 and 2011, he worked with the Ministry of the Environment, Transport, and Public Works on infrastructure development.<ref name=": 10a">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Kana: Man of the People?"]. ''Guri Telegraph''. Retrieved 14 April 2022.</ref>
Despite his misgivings, he followed his father into the Freice Posse (the local militia), although he served for only eighteen months before withdrawing. With the support of his mother and sister, he travelled across Olivacia, living for a period in Riamo where he studied at Portington University.
==Concrete Mixer Man Case==
==Concrete Mixer Man Case==
Kana first came to public attention following his arrest on 12 January 2022. He was caught with a concrete mixer, poetry books, glue, and three stoats, and was arrested and booked for "lewd activity".<ref name=": 11a">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Concrete mixer man finds public following"]. ''Radio and Television Freice''. Retrieved 29 January 2022</ref><ref name=": 12a">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Bizaar Freician criminal case takes world by storm"]. ''Riamo News''. Retrieved 29 January 2022</ref> He was reported to have willingly surrendered himself and his possessions to the police.<ref name=": 13a">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Who is Concrete Mixer Man"]. ''Riamo News''. Retrieved 30 January 2022</ref> It was later determined that the equipment used in the event were stolen, with the concrete mixer likely taken from a construction site he was working at.<ref name=": 14a">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Strange Freician case reaches international stage"]. ''HHK''. Retrieved 30 January 2022</ref> The stoats were of unknown origin.
Kana came to international attention following his arrest on 12 January 2022. He was caught with a concrete mixer, poetry books, glue, and three stoats, and was arrested and booked for "lewd activity". He was reported to have willingly surrendered himself and his possessions to the police. It was later determined that the equipment used in the event were stolen, with the concrete mixer likely taken from a construction site he was working at. The stoats were of unknown origin.
Kana's name was revealed publicly for the first time following a Court of Appeal ruling on 11 February 2022.<ref name=": 15a">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Kana Tenqel named as Concrete Mixer Man"]. ''Radio and Television Freice''. Retrieved 14 February 2022</ref> He was brought to trial on 21 February 2022 on charges of endangering wildlife and indecent exposure.<ref name=": 16a">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Concrete Mixer Man Trial: Defence outlines its case"]. ''Radio and Television Freice''. Retrieved 23 February 2022</ref> Charges of trespassing and misuse of property were also pressed, although theft was dropped after a local school, believed to be the owner of the glue and books, dropped charges.<ref name=": 17a">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Concrete Mixer Man Trial: Defence outlines its case"]. ''Radio and Television Freice''. Retrieved 23 February 2022</ref>
Kana's name was revealed publicly for the first time following a court ruling on 11 February 2022. He was brought to trial on 21 February 2022 on charges of endangering wildlife and indecent exposure. Charges of trespassing and misuse of property were also pressed, although theft was dropped after a local school, believed to be the owner of the glue and books, dropped charges.
In a blog post on his website, written in September 2022, Kana clarified the details of the event. He claimed that his actions were an "historical inquiry into pre-Christian religions in Freice," with no malice intended.<ref name=": 18a">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "What is it with the concrete mixer?"]. ''kana.fe''. Retrieved 5 September 2022</ref> He denied any sexual aspect, saying that he had sought to imitate traditional religious practices.<ref name=": 18a">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "What is it with the concrete mixer?"]. ''kana.fe''. Retrieved 5 September 2022</ref>
In a blog post on his website, written in September 2022, Kana clarified the details of the event. He claimed that his actions were an "historical inquiry into pre-Christian religions in Freice," with no malice intended. He denied any sexual aspect, saying that he had sought to imitate traditional religious practices.
===Response===
====Response====
====Domestic response====
The case enjoyed international attention. An [[Anáhuac|Anáhuaca]] politician Francisco Javier Vaquero, when asked about the case, humorously declared that a movie should be made about the unusual criminal. He later added that any movie should win awards for its storyline.
The Freician government's response has largely been to support the legal process. Justice minister Taqame Natpiau said in a written statement to the Island Meeting that the government will "keep up to date" with the case where necessary, and ensure that the "the law has been followed in determining whether it has been breached."<ref name=": 11a">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Concrete mixer man finds public following"]. ''Radio and Television Freice''. Retrieved 29 January 2022</ref>
National broadcaster Radio and Television Freice has created a separate link on its website dedicated to the case, which is reported to have upwards of 50,000 hits a week.<ref name=": 19a">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Concrete mixer case brings island fame"]. ''Gavrilopolis Times''. Retrieved 24 January 2022</ref>
The international coverage of the case has led to a number of copycat cases being reported. In [[Kentalis]], broadcaster NRSK reported of two teenages being arrested for stealing a concrete mixer.
====International response====
A [[Anáhuac|Anáhuaca]] politician Francisco Javier Vaquero, when asked about the case, humorously declared that a movie should be made about the unusual criminal. He later added that any movie should win awards for its storyline.<ref name=": 20a">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Vaquero: I want Concrete Mixer Man movie NOW!"]. ''Santa Elisa Live''. Retrieved 23 January 2022</ref>
On a [[Hoterallia|Hoterallian]] TV show, a comedy skit entitled "My Girlfriend Is A Concrete Mixer???" has gained a cult following.<ref name=": 21a">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Vaquero: I want Concrete Mixer Man movie NOW!"]. ''Santa Elisa Live''. Retrieved 23 January 2022</ref>
When [[Keomoru'lu]] [[Aniara Neileka]] visited [[Anáhuac]] for talks with the Rugidoan president, pranksters greeted her dressed as stoats and possessing concrete mixers.<ref name=": 22a">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "President hails 'breakthrough' agreement with G.R."]. ''Radio and Television Freice''. Retrieved 4 February 2022</ref>
Orajioe Daily reported that one [[Hoterallia|Hoterallian]] man, Konoda Hajimoto, announced that he had "declare[d] war" on the justice system in Freice, due to what he perceived as a "violation of human rights".<ref name=": 23a">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Concrete Mixer Man Trial: Protest outside court"]. ''Radio and Television Freice''. Retrieved 25 February 2022</ref> This was also reported in Freice.<ref name=": 24a">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "I declared war on Freice's Justice System!"]. ''Orajioe Daily''. Retrieved 27 February 2022</ref>
[[File:Kana and Kono in 2022.png|thumb|left|250px|Kana with [[Hoterallia Important Individuals Directory#The Latest Edition|Kono Takaida]] in Orajioe, June 2022]]
===Copycats===
The international coverage of the case has led to a number of copycat cases being reported. In [[Kentalis]], broadcaster NRSK reported of two teenages being arrested for stealing a concrete mixer.<ref name=": 25a">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Two teenagers arrested in Čelanica for stealing Concrete mixer from Construction site"]. ''NRSK''. Retrieved 27 January 2022</ref>
==Political career==
On 10 March 2022, Kono Takaida, leader of [[Taihago (Hoterallia)|Taihago]], Twatted that he had spoken with Kana, describing him as "intriguing on so many levels" and "one of the greatest men I have ever met."<ref name=": 26a">@KonoTakaida (10 March 2022). [https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "It might be one of my greatest moment in the week, talking to Kana Tenqel from Freice. He is so intriguing on so many levels, his political ideas and the way he expressed them definitely make him one of the greatest men I have ever met. Seeing him with his supporters really makes me think about my way to run the Taihago back home!"] - via [https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ Twatter].</ref>
On 12 March 2022, Kana formally registered a new political party called ''Kana's Empowered Citizens'', the first political party to be established since the Court of Appeal ruled that a ban on parties was unconstitutional.<ref name=": 27a">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Mixer Man Kana founds political party"]. ''Radio and Television Freice''. 12 March 2022. Retrieved 13 March 2022.</ref> He announced on Twatter the founding of the party as a "mass movement" supporting "real social, economic, political, and constitutional change."<ref name=": 28a">@kana (12 March 2022). [https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Empowered Citizens is a mass movement, calling for serious and real social, economic, political, and constitutional change. This is not a joke – Freice seriously needs help to recover from years of neglect, and only the people united can give it that help."] - via [https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ Twatter].</ref>
Speaking on Radio and Television Freice's radio show ''Tara Pona Faio'se'' (Good Day, Freice), Kana rejected claims that his party was a joke or political satire, arguing that the mass movement organised to support him in his trial convincted him of the need to "use this popular energy for good."<ref name=": 29a">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Kana: Party 'not a joke'"]. ''Radio and Television Freice''. Retrieved 13 March 2022.</ref>
Kana led his party to victory in the [[2022 elections in Freice|June 2022 elections]], with the party winning a plurality of the vote in the General Kiuva election, winning three mayoralties, and leading three district authority administrations.<ref name=": 30a">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Election 2022: KTP defies odds, takes first place"]. ''Radio and Television Freice''. Retrieved 11 June 2022.</ref>
===Mayor of Peka===
In the [[2022_elections_in_Freice#District_mayor_elections|2022 Peka mayoral election]], Kana was elected Mayor of the district with 55.1% of the vote.<ref name=": 31a">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Election 2022: KTP defies odds, takes first place"]. ''Radio and Television Freice''. Retrieved 11 June 2022.</ref><ref name=": 32a">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Aniara takes top job, Kana wins Peka race"]. ''Kaposa Tama''. Retrieved 11 June 2022.</ref>
As Mayor, he promoted sustainable development across all areas of policy-making. He pressed the protection of the Peka Highlands (the parts of the Sete Hills in Peka), established of new rules regarding urban development, and emphasised happiness and access to basic resources as key indicators over GDP.<ref name=": 33a">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Is Kana destined for a head-on collision with Aniara?"]. ''Kaposa Tama''. Retrieved 6 July 2022.</ref> He also petitioned the national government for greater powers to deal with poverty, and has sought to block plans for fracking in the district.<ref name=": 33a">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Is Kana destined for a head-on collision with Aniara?"]. ''Kaposa Tama''. Retrieved 6 July 2022.</ref>
[[File:Kana Tenqel in January 2023 (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|250px|Kana announcing ministerial appointments, January 23 2023.]]
==Keomoru'lu (2023-present)==
Kana was elected [[Keomoru'lu]] in the [[2023 Freician general election]], with his party winning 14 seats in the 21 seat assembly.<ref name=": 34a">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Kana sweeps to office; MURO collapses"]. ''Kaposa Tama''. Retrieved 20 January 2023.</ref> He was also elected a Member of the [[General Kiuva]] for [[Districts of Freice|Peka]], succeeding Boni Iasoqe. He was formally sworn in by [[Speaker of the General Kiuva]] [[Kiso Toma]] on 23 January.
On 10 March 2023, Future Citizens merged with the MURO Alliance to form [[Mulo Uahi ma pa Kiuoa]], with Kana serving as leader of the new party.<ref name=": 35a">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Freice: Kana party merges with MURO"]. ''Riamo News''. Retrieved 11 March 2023</ref> It also adopted a new logo.
Kana's government became embroiled in the [[The Freician Issue|Freician Issue]], which saw international condemnation of the Riamese government following its condemnation of [[Anáhuac]] and [[Hoterallia]] for sending medical aid to Freice.<ref name=": 36a">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "'The Freician Issue' explained"]. ''Old Republic News''. Retrieved 30 April 2023.</ref> As a result of the ongoing crisis, Kana's, and Freice's, profile was raised, with a significant increase in followers of Twatter profiles for Kana and for Freice government and civic organisations.<ref name=": 37a">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Kana, Freice sees more Twatter followers as international crisis continues"]. ''The Eastern Sun''. Retrieved 20 April 2023.</ref>
On 18 April 2023, his government passed the "landmark" [[Public Order (HIV/AIDS) Act 2023|Public Order (HIV/AIDS) Act]], which prohibits discrimination on grounds of having HIV/AIDS.<ref name=":38a">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "HIV/AIDS discrimination bill passes Kiuva vote"]. ''Mulo'i Puineta''. Retrieved 20 April 2023.</ref>
===The Freician Issue===
Kana once again came to international attention when his government entered into conflict with the Riamese federal government over foreign aid to Freice.<ref name=": 39a">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "MEDIA RELEASE: Hon. Kana Tenqel, Keomoru'lu, has written to the Federal Chancellor regarding the actions of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs"]. ''Government of Freice''. Retrieved 30 April 2023.</ref><ref name=": 40a">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Freice-Riamo disagreement on 'everybody's lips'"]. ''Riamo News''. Retrieved 1 May 2023.</ref> The Riamese government criticised the decision of [[Anáhuac]] to send medical aid to Freice to address the HIV/AIDS crisis, declaring it to undermine Freice's constitutional status within the federation.<ref name=": 41a">@RMFA (10 March 2022). [https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "The Riamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has scheduled an urgent talk with Anahuacan Authorities following the latest developments regarding #Freice. @RiamoSenate will be called to vote on the subject today, as this sudden move puts into question Freice's self-determination rights."] - via [https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ Twatter].</ref>
Kana's stance has received applause from domestic and international audiences for standing up for Freice's self-determination and for putting healthcare above politics.<ref name=":42a">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Opinion: The Keomoru'lu may be strange, but he is winning the public's hearts"]. ''Mulo'i Puineta''. Retrieved 10 May 2023.</ref>
==Personal life==
Kana married teacher Ama Selaia in 2023, having been in a relationship with her since 2015.<ref name=":43a">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Freice: Kana Tenqel marries in surprise announcement"]. ''Riamo News''. Retrieved 10 May 2023.</ref> He had previously been in a relationship with from 1995 until 2010, producing one child, [[Nuisela Sakana]], a former athlete.<ref name=": 8a">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Who am I?"]. ''kana.faiose''. Retrieved 6 May 2022.</ref> His son is currently a member of Peka District Administrative Council<ref name=":44a">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Freice: Kana's son elected to local government"]. ''Eastern Sun''. 21 January 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.</ref>
He has one living sister, Tami, who is a nurse two years his senior. His late sister, Elaki, died of cancer in 2016. She had previously worked as an assistant in the local school.<ref name=": 8a">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Who am I?"]. ''kana.faiose''. Retrieved 6 May 2022.</ref>
Kana's religious views have attracted some attention, particularly because of his claimed efforts to rekindle pre-Christian practices that caused his arrest. He has made no direct statement on what religious beliefs he holds, but has confirmed that he does believe in God. Speaking in 2023 before he was elected Keomoru'lu, he said: "I do believe in something bigger than me, and I call that thing God. I don't know exactly what it is and I don't want to. Religion is a private matter and something that is between myself and God. As far as government is concerned, the only beliefs that are important are political beliefs, and religion should play no part in that."<ref name=": 45a">[https://i.imgur.com/LJrd3HN.jpg/ "Kana talks politics, religion, and holidays"]. ''Mulo'i Puineta''. Retrieved 16 January 2022.</ref>
== Honours ==
===National honours===
* {{flagicon image|Riamo flag 2.png}} [[Riamo]]: Queen Diana II Ruby Jubilee Medal, 2023
==See also==
==See also==
* [[Future Citizens (Freice)|Future Citizens]]
*
* [[Mulo Uahi ma pa Kiuoa]]
* [[Aniara Neileka]]
* [[Kiso Toma]]
==Notes==
==Notes==
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This is a Freician name. The last name is patronymic, not a family name; this person is referred to by the given name Kána
Kána Talakel (born 12 May 1967) is the present Má’ita of Freice, being claimant to one-third of the jointly-held hereditary office. Prior to assuming the office, he worked as a civil engineer and transport planner in Freice and Riamo, inheriting the Tuá share of the Má'ita on his father's death in 2001.
One of the most eccentric of the island's rulers, Kána came to international attention in 2022 when he was embroiled in what become known as the "Concrete Mixer Man Case." As Má'ita, he has earned a reputation as a compratively hands-on ruler, although maintaining a strictly non-partisan position on political matters.
Kána was the elder son and one of eight children of Talakel Máirai, who served as Má'ita from 1993 to 2023, and the singer Málelidi Avautima. From a young age, Kána enjoyed a very close relationship with his mother, who was more understanding of and attentive to his sensibilities than his father. He has since said of his parents that his father "distrusted what he saw as effeminacy" whilst his mother "understood me."
Despite his misgivings, he followed his father into the Freice Posse (the local militia), although he served for only eighteen months before withdrawing. With the support of his mother and sister, he travelled across Olivacia, living for a period in Riamo where he studied at Portington University.
Concrete Mixer Man Case
Kana came to international attention following his arrest on 12 January 2022. He was caught with a concrete mixer, poetry books, glue, and three stoats, and was arrested and booked for "lewd activity". He was reported to have willingly surrendered himself and his possessions to the police. It was later determined that the equipment used in the event were stolen, with the concrete mixer likely taken from a construction site he was working at. The stoats were of unknown origin.
Kana's name was revealed publicly for the first time following a court ruling on 11 February 2022. He was brought to trial on 21 February 2022 on charges of endangering wildlife and indecent exposure. Charges of trespassing and misuse of property were also pressed, although theft was dropped after a local school, believed to be the owner of the glue and books, dropped charges.
In a blog post on his website, written in September 2022, Kana clarified the details of the event. He claimed that his actions were an "historical inquiry into pre-Christian religions in Freice," with no malice intended. He denied any sexual aspect, saying that he had sought to imitate traditional religious practices.
Response
The case enjoyed international attention. An Anáhuaca politician Francisco Javier Vaquero, when asked about the case, humorously declared that a movie should be made about the unusual criminal. He later added that any movie should win awards for its storyline.
The international coverage of the case has led to a number of copycat cases being reported. In Kentalis, broadcaster NRSK reported of two teenages being arrested for stealing a concrete mixer.
