Representation by houses, clans, and tribes

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Representation by Houses, Clans, and Tribes

Under Ts’msyen law, representation arises from **relationship, responsibility, and lawful standing**, not from abstract delegation alone. Representation is carried through houses (*wilp*), clans (*pdeex*), and tribes, each with distinct roles under *ayaawx*.

Representation exists to speak for responsibility, not personal opinion.

Foundational Understanding

Ts’msyen representation is grounded in law.

It is based on:

  • stewardship obligations
  • kinship and descent
  • named authority
  • public witness
  • accountability for outcomes

Authority to speak flows from responsibility to carry consequences.

House (Wilp) Representation

The wilp is the primary unit of representation.

A wilp may speak through:

  • hereditary name holders
  • recognized speakers
  • Elders advising the house
  • lawful representatives acting within mandate

Wilp representation includes:

  • stewardship of specific lands and waters
  • conduct and accountability of members
  • assertion of house rights and responsibilities
  • participation in dispute resolution
  • engagement in feast and witness

A person does not represent a wilp without lawful standing.

Clan (Pdeex) Representation

Clans provide balance, neutrality, and continuity.

Clan representation is engaged when:

  • multiple houses are affected
  • neutrality is required
  • kinship obligations must be considered
  • disputes risk becoming personal or imbalanced

Clan representation:

  • supports fairness
  • restrains unilateral action
  • reinforces shared law
  • maintains inter-house balance

Clans do not erase house authority; they support lawful resolution.

Tribal Representation

Tribal representation arises when:

  • issues affect an entire community
  • coordination between houses is required
  • external engagement impacts multiple wilp
  • shared territory or systems are involved

Tribal representation:

  • reflects collective responsibility
  • supports internal unity
  • coordinates shared response
  • remains grounded in house authority

Tribal voices do not replace wilp voices.

National Context

In matters affecting more than one tribe:

  • representation is coordinated
  • Elder guidance is central
  • house authority is respected
  • ayaawx governs process

National representation strengthens law when it aligns with wilp and clan responsibility.

Limits of Representation

Representation under Ts’msyen law is limited.

No representative may:

  • exceed their mandate
  • surrender ayaawx authority
  • bind others without consent
  • act without accountability
  • replace lawful process

Authority without limits becomes unlawful.

Accountability and Witness

Representation is accountable through:

  • feast and witness
  • Elder guidance
  • correction when mandate is exceeded
  • responsibility for outcomes

Public witness confirms lawful standing.

Relationship to External Engagement

When engaging external systems:

  • representatives must act within mandate
  • ayaawx remains primary
  • participation does not transfer authority
  • reinterpretation is rejected
  • outcomes remain accountable to Ts’msyen law

External recognition does not create internal authority.

Living Representation

Representation under Ts’msyen law is living and responsive.

It adapts through:

  • circumstance
  • relationship
  • correction
  • renewed witness

It remains grounded because responsibility remains grounded.

Continuity

Through lawful representation by houses, clans, and tribes:

  • authority remains clear
  • accountability is maintained
  • law is protected
  • future generations are safeguarded

Where representation follows ayaawx, the Nation remains whole.

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