On the second day of the ceremony, Feay said officers from the Sacramento Police Department\u00a0 broke up the gathering. After that, they charged her fiance, who was leading the morning sunrise song and prayers, with two misdemeanors \u2013 unlawful camping and obstructing the street.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The same day, police seized the tipi and labeled it as a tarp and bamboo sticks, according to the agency\u2019s Feb. 5 booking receipt reviewed by CapRadio.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m hurt, I feel disrespected. My treaty rights were violated,\u201d Feay said. \u201cThey took my church. Where am I going to go pray?”<\/p>\n
Feay has now been in Sacramento staying in AirBnbs for over a month waiting on the release of her tipi. Feay told CapRadio she is not leaving Sacramento until she gets the tipi back, which might not happen until May.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s our sacred lodge,\u201d she said. \u201cThey called it a homelessness encampment.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/030326_tipi_2.jpg\")
Sierra Rose Feay’s tipi was taken down on Feb. 5, day two into the native fire ceremony to honor Renee Good. Sacramento PD say the tipi was removed due to safety hazards for pedestrian and vehicle traffic.Courtesy of Sierra Rose Feay<\/p>\n
Sacramento PD told CapRadio in an email March 3 that the structure and items were removed based on safety concerns.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Sacramento Police Department remains committed to respecting individuals\u2019 constitutional rights while also ensuring the safety and accessibility of public spaces for everyone,\u201d an agency statement said. \u201cThe structure was removed because it was creating a safety hazard for both pedestrian and vehicle traffic.\u201d<\/p>\n
Still, Feay said she\u2019s left wondering why she is unable to get her tipi back. She said she may have to wait until her fiance\u2019s misdemeanor citation hearing on May 6, but police have not provided a clear answer as to why.<\/p>\n
\u201c\u200aI’ve been down to the Sacramento police department. I’ve been down to records. I’ve been down to the DA, I’ve been down to the evidence locker. I went everywhere. I even went down to the city council last Tuesday,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Councilmember Phil Pluckebaum represents downtown and was made aware of the situation last month.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe city has a process of releasing evidence when there\u2019s property seized and they\u2019re working through that process,\u201d Plukebaum said. \u201cI\u2019ve asked wherever possible for that to be expedited. It is taking longer than I think any of us expected at this point.\u201d<\/p>\n
Legal questions on Native American religious freedom raised<\/p>\n