Adoption, bloodlines, and membership in a house
Adoption, Bloodlines, and Membership in a House
In Ts’msyen law, membership in a wilp (also rendered waap) defines a person’s legal identity, responsibilities, and place within society.
Belonging is established through **bloodline** or **lawful adoption**. Both are valid when carried out according to *ayaawx* and confirmed through public witnessing.
Bloodlines and Descent
Ts’msyen descent is traditionally **matrilineal**.
This means:
- a child belongs to the wilp of their mother
- clan (pdeex) membership follows the maternal line
- names, crests, and responsibilities pass through women
Bloodline establishes **original membership**, but it does not remove the need for proper teaching or conduct.
Meaning of Membership
Membership in a wilp carries:
- rights to participate in house affairs
- responsibilities to uphold house conduct
- obligations to land, crests, and names
- accountability for the actions of fellow members
Membership is lifelong unless lawfully withdrawn.
Adoption in Ts’msyen Law
Adoption is a lawful means of establishing full membership in a wilp.
Adoption may occur:
- for children
- for adults
- to repair broken lines
- to fulfill house responsibilities
Adoption does not create lesser membership.
Requirements for Lawful Adoption
For adoption to be lawful, the following must occur:
Consent
- consent of the wilp receiving the person
- acceptance of responsibility by the adoptee
- acknowledgment by relevant clan members
Purpose
Adoption must serve lawful purposes, such as:
- care and protection
- continuity of the house
- restoration after loss
- strengthening of alliances
Adoption for convenience or personal gain is unlawful.
Witnessing
Adoption must be witnessed in feast.
Witnessing:
- confirms membership
- assigns responsibility
- allows challenge or correction
- binds the decision into law
Clan (Pdeex) Implications
Upon adoption:
- the adoptee becomes a full member of the house
- clan membership follows the adopting wilp
- marriage rules apply immediately
- obligations and protections are equal to those by birth
Clan law ensures balance and prevents misuse of adoption.
Rights of Adopted Members
An adopted member has the right to:
- speak as a house member
- receive names when deemed appropriate
- inherit responsibilities
- be protected by the wilp
Adopted members may carry names and authority when properly raised.
Responsibilities of Adopted Members
Adopted members must:
- learn and uphold the house’s adaawx
- respect crest obligations
- maintain proper conduct
- answer for wrongdoing
- contribute to feasts and house duties
Adoption binds responsibility as fully as blood.
Mixed Lineage and Multiple Connections
Many Ts’msyen people have connections to multiple houses or Nations.
In such cases:
- primary membership is determined by wilp affiliation
- additional relationships are respected
- authority flows through the primary wilp
- care is taken to avoid conflict of obligation
Belonging does not require denial of other relationships.
Loss, Suspension, or Withdrawal of Membership
In rare cases, membership may be:
- suspended
- corrected
- withdrawn
This may occur due to:
- serious violation of ayaawx
- refusal to accept responsibility
- repeated harm to the house
Such actions require:
- wilp consensus
- clan involvement
- public witnessing
Adoption as Restoration
Adoption is often used as a tool of restoration.
It may:
- heal families
- restore lost lines
- repair harm
- strengthen future generations
Proper adoption strengthens law rather than diluting it.
Living Law
Bloodlines and adoption are not competing systems.
Together, they form a **living legal framework** that ensures:
- continuity without exclusion
- responsibility without rigidity
- belonging grounded in law
When carried properly, both sustain the wilp and the people.