Training Youth in Ayaawx
Training Youth in Ayaawx
Ayaawx is not a classroom lesson; it is a way of being. Youth learn it through watching, listening, practicing, and receiving gentle correction. This page provides a safe, public overview of foundational teachings shared across Tsm’syen, Gitxsan, Nisg̱a’a, and neighbouring Nations.
1. Identity: Knowing Who You Are
Youth are first taught:
- Their **wilp / waap** (house)
- Their **clan / pteex**
- Their **lax yip** (territory)
- Their **matrilineal line** – mother, grandmother, great-grandmother
- Their **crest** and the stories connected to it
- The **responsibilities** carried by their name, even if they do not yet hold one
A strong sense of origin protects youth against confusion, gossip, and colonial pressure. A youth who knows where they come from cannot be moved.
2. Conduct: How You Walk Is Your First Law
Youth are guided in how to:
- Move respectfully in gatherings and feasts
- Sit and listen without interrupting
- Keep their voice appropriate in sacred spaces
- Avoid mocking, gossip, or public shaming
- Carry themselves in a way that “keeps the blanket clean”
Four Pillars of Conduct
- **Respect**
- **Humility**
- **Self-control**
- **Awareness of others**
Actions reflect the entire wilp, not just the individual.
3. Listening as Training
Listening is the first form of discipline. Youth must learn to:
- Pay attention to elders, matriarchs, and teachers
- Remember teachings
- Receive correction without anger
- Wait their turn to speak
If you cannot listen, you cannot lead.
4. Correction: Teaching Without Shame
Correction traditionally:
- Happens privately
- Is gentle, firm, and clear
- Guides youth back to respectful behaviour
The phrase “your blanket is getting dirty” refers to behaviour, not the person. Correction is part of training, not punishment.
5. Teachings for Young Women and Young Men
(General teachings only; no restricted knowledge.)
Young Women
- Walk with dignity; you carry your mother’s line
- Protect your spirit and body
- Know your lineage and your worth
- Do not allow disrespectful speech from men
- You reflect your wilp wherever you go
Young Men
- Protect, do not harm
- Speak with honour, especially to women and youth
- Control anger and pride
- Do not use strength to intimidate
- Loose or reckless words “dirty the blanket”
6. Learning Through Work
Ayaawx is learned by doing. Youth assist by:
- Gathering wood
- Cleaning fish
- Preparing feasts
- Hunting and observing protocols
- Collecting berries, medicines, and materials
- Helping elders
Work teaches cooperation, endurance, responsibility, and gratitude.
7. Learning Through Adawx (Stories)
Stories teach:
- Moral choices
- Consequences of wrongdoing
- Courage and humility
- How to behave in the world
Adawx are not entertainment — they are guides for living.
8. Preparing Youth for Future Roles
Elders, matriarchs, and chiefs watch to see:
- Are they steady or impulsive?
- Do they show generosity?
- Can they handle correction?
- Do they observe before speaking?
- Do they show compassion?
These qualities help determine future:
- Name carriers
- Feast leaders
- Speakers
- Territory caretakers
- Advisors
9. Modern Teachings: Ayaawx in Today’s World
Youth also learn:
- Respectful online communication
- Avoiding gossip and identity attacks on social media
- Protecting cultural knowledge from misuse
- Standing strong against racism
- Balancing traditional roles with modern life
Ayaawx adapts with time, but its foundation remains unchanged.
This page is a community-friendly, safe introduction. No sacred or hereditary-restricted teachings are included. Additional sections may be added as guided by local knowledge holders and families.