Youth and the Future Line

Youth and the Future Line

Category: Tsm’syen Law Page status: Working

Purpose

This page describes the role of youth in the continuity of Tsm’syen law, governance, and collective responsibility. It records how the future line of the Nation is maintained through teaching, participation, and preparation.

This page does not assign leadership roles or create offices.

General principles

• Youth are essential to the survival of law.
• Continuity depends on correct transmission, not assumption.
• Responsibility is learned before authority is held.
• Preparation is gradual and relational.
• The future line is protected through care and teaching.

YOUTH

Role and position

• Youth are members of houses and clans.
• Youth participate in governance through observation and involvement.
• Youth are not excluded from law, but are guided into it.
• Participation increases with knowledge, conduct, and readiness.

THE FUTURE LINE

Continuity

• The future line refers to the continuation of law, names, and responsibility.
• Continuity depends on uninterrupted transmission.
• Breaks in teaching weaken governance.
• The Nation has a collective duty to protect the future line.

TEACHING

Transmission of law

• Ayaawx and adaawx must be taught deliberately.
• Teaching occurs through story, participation, and correction.
• Elders, Sim’oogit, and house members share responsibility for teaching.
• Learning is ongoing and contextual.

PARTICIPATION

Learning through involvement

• Youth learn governance by witnessing decisions and outcomes.
• Participation may include ceremony, feasts, work, and discussion.
• Observation precedes decision-making responsibility.

PROTECTION

Safeguarding continuity

• Youth must be protected from premature burden.
• Exposure to responsibility should be appropriate to readiness.
• Protection ensures long-term strength of governance.

LIMITS

Boundaries

• Youth do not replace elders or leadership roles.
• Preparation does not imply immediate authority.
• Responsibility is assumed gradually and with guidance.

To be developed

• Documented teaching practices
• Age and readiness considerations
• Variations between houses and clans
• Source citations

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