No Chief Stands Alone

No Chief Stands Alone

INITIATION DRAFT — This page explains the Tsm̱syen principle that leadership is never individual. A chief’s authority exists only through the House, the matriarchs, the speaker roles, and the collective law (ayaawx).

Core Principle

In Tsm̱syen law, **no chief stands alone**. A chief does not rule by himself, speak by himself, or decide by himself.

His authority is:

• inherited through the matriline,
• upheld by the matriarchs,
• supported by House members,
• checked by feast protocol,
• guided by *ayaawx*,
• and verified by witnesses.

A chief standing alone would be a broken system — it would go against the foundation of the wilp.

Governance Structure

A chief’s strength comes from those around him:

• **Gyetk / sigyidm hana̱’a̱** — matriarch authority
• **Simgyaget** — hereditary name holder
• **sigyidm hana̱'a̱** — senior supporting leader / protocol officer
• **Kubawiltsik** — House-level functional or work leader (to be expanded)
• **Wilp Members** — witnesses, helpers, supporters
• **Father and Grandfather Clans** — advisors and protectors
• **Youth** — carriers of the next generation of responsibility

Each person reinforces the balance so the chief cannot act outside law.

Matriarchal Authority

A chief’s decisions are **not final** without the approval of:

• the matriarchs (gyetk / sigyidm hana̱’a̱),
• the House mothers,
• the lineage women.

If the matriarchs disagree:

• the chief cannot proceed,
• the speech changes,
• the feast pauses,
• corrections are made.

This is ayaawx in action.

Feast Law

Inside a feast, a chief:

• **does not speak first**,
• **does not speak alone**,
• **does not decide alone**,
• **does not witness alone**.

Matriarchs set seating and confirm speeches. Speakers deliver words on behalf of the House. Guests and other Houses validate actions.

A decision without witnesses is **not law**.

Correction and Accountability

If a chief:

• speaks out of turn,
• breaks ayaawx,
• misuses a name,
• oversteps authority…

He is corrected by:

• the matriarchs,