View source for Role of a Chief (Speaker, Not Ruler)

== Role of a Chief (Speaker, Not Ruler) ==
''INITIATION DRAFT — This page explains the traditional role of a Tsm’syen chief as a speaker and representative of the wilp, not a ruler. It will be refined as more elder teachings, community discussions, and historical notes are gathered.''

The English word “chief” often causes misunderstanding.  
In Tsm’syen society, a chief is **not** a ruler, boss, or king.

A chief is:
* a speaker,
* a representative,
* a holder of name and lineage,
* and the voice of the wilp.

They carry authority, but it is **not personal power** —  
it comes from:
* the name they hold,
* the land connected to that name,
* the teachings passed to them,
* and the House that stands behind them.

---

=== Chiefs Represent, They Do Not Command ===
Unlike Western systems where leaders “command,”  
Tsm’syen chiefs **speak on behalf of the collective**.

They do not:
* make decisions alone,
* rule over members,
* impose personal preferences,
* or act without consensus.

Their strength comes from:
* their House’s support,
* the wisdom of their advisers,
* and their ability to speak clearly, correctly, and respectfully.

A chief without support is a name without foundation.

---

=== The Chief as the Voice of the Wilp ===
In feasts and public gatherings, the chief’s voice:
* carries the history of the House,
* expresses the will of the membership,
* acknowledges relationships,
* and maintains balance.

They speak **for the ancestors and the descendants**.  
A chief must know:
* the names,
* the adaawx,
* the obligations,
* and the relationships tied to their lineage.

Their authority is **rooted in knowledge**, not force.

---

=== Decision-Making Through Consensus ===
True decision-making happens:
* among House members,
* with senior relatives,
* with advisers,
* with matriarchs,
* and often with neighbouring Houses.

The chief listens, gathers, and expresses the outcome.  
Their job is to ensure:
* accuracy,
* clarity,
* honesty,
* and respect.

Consensus does not mean every person agrees —  
it means the House stands behind the decision together.

---

=== Responsibilities of a Chief ===
Even in this INIT version, several duties are clear:

* Carrying the name and its responsibilities  
* Protecting the House’s land and rights  
* Representing the wilp in feasts  
* Maintaining relationships with other Houses  
* Guiding youth through example  
* Knowing and speaking the adaawx  
* Handling disputes with calmness  
* Ensuring generosity in feasts and events  
* Calling forward those who hold knowledge  

A chief who does not fulfil their responsibilities weakens the name they carry.

---

=== The Role of Speakers and Supporters ===
No chief stands alone.

Supporting roles include:
* hit’waal (speaker),
* senior matriarchs,
* House leaders,
* knowledge-holders,
* and younger relatives learning responsibility.

These individuals:
* help prepare speeches,
* steady the chief’s voice,
* correct mistakes quietly,
* and ensure the wilp’s obligations are met.

A chief who ignores their supporters breaks from tradition.

---

=== Modern Confusion: When Chiefs Are Mistaken for Politicians ===
Colonial systems created confusion by treating chiefs as:
* rulers,
* administrators,
* or band-level authority figures.

This misunderstanding leads to:
* conflict,
* unrealistic expectations,
* misuse of names,
* and pressure that does not belong to the role.

Traditional chiefs are **spokespersons**,  
not political executives.

Band administration is separate from wilp authority.

---

=== A Chief’s Power Is Not Personal ===
A chief’s authority:
* is borrowed, not owned,
* is temporary, not permanent,
* belongs to the name, not the individual,
* and must be returned to the House in better condition than it was received.

If a chief acts with arrogance or personal power:
* the House can correct them,
* supporters can withdraw their backing,
* or the name can be reassigned.

This protects the integrity of the system.

---

=== Teaching Youth the True Role ===
Youth today often encounter:
* colonial leadership models,
* online misinformation,
* and made-up laws spoken with authority.

This page will help clarify for youth:
* what a chief truly is,
* what a chief is not,
* and how leadership functions in Tsm’syen society.

Future versions will include more examples as we gather posts and teachings from the community.

---

=== Notes on Evolution ===
''This page will be rewritten once deeper teachings are gathered or once the understanding of the role grows beyond this base version. Minor word changes will not trigger updates. Revisions occur only when the meaning matures enough to require a new version.''