Representation by houses, clans, and tribes
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.