Lateral Violence and Its Dangers

Lateral Violence and Its Dangers

INITIATION DRAFT — Ayaawx teaching page explaining what lateral violence is, how it spreads, why it is dangerous to Tsm̱syen society, and how traditional law provides pathways for prevention and healing.

Overview

Lateral violence is when hurt is turned inward toward our own people instead of toward the systems that caused the harm. It shows up as:

• gossip,
• shaming,
• jealousy,
• tearing others down,
• accusation without truth,
• social exclusion,
• withholding support,
• misusing authority.

Lateral violence is not traditional. It is a **colonial symptom**, and one of the greatest threats to wilp unity today.

Ayaawx teaches the opposite:

• respect (łoomsk),
• humility,
• accountability,
• truth,
• generosity,
• and support for one another.

How Colonial Systems Created Lateral Violence

Before colonization, Tsm̱syen society relied on:

• clear feast law,
• strong matriarchs,
• public accountability,
• inter-wilp alliances,
• shared harvesting,
• and witnessed decision-making.

Colonial systems weakened these structures through:

• residential schools,
• displacement from territories,
• banning feasts,
• imposing Indian Act councils,
• introducing poverty,
• removing children from culture,
• enforcing hierarchy through fear.

When these systems cut at the roots of ayaawx, people began turning frustration inward — at each other.

That is lateral violence.

Why Lateral Violence Is Dangerous

Lateral violence:

• breaks trust inside the wilp,
• weakens matriarch authority,
• prevents youth from learning correctly,
• silences people who should speak up,
• destroys unity,
• damages leadership,
• creates long-term fractures.

A divided House is easier for outside systems to control.

This is why lateral violence is not just emotional harm — it is a **sovereignty threat**.

Forms of Lateral Violence

Common forms include:

• speaking ill of others behind their back,
• attacking House members online,
• mocking those who try to learn,
• discouraging youth or new leaders,
• misusing feast stories to shame someone,
• claiming authority without truth,
• undermining someone’s role or name.

These behaviours violate ayaawx because they:

• harm the wilp,
• dishonour lineage,
• weaken feast law,
• and damage relationships.

Ayaawx and Prevention

Ayaawx provides natural protections against lateral violence:

1. Witnesses Nothing important is done in secret. Truth is held publicly by witnesses, reducing false accusations.

2. Speakers (sgigithanauk) They control the flow of information and ensure correct wording.

3. Matriarchs (sigyidm hana̱’a̱) They stop conflict early and maintain dignity and order.

4. Feast Protocol Public accountability prevents quiet harm from festering.

5. Shame Avoidance Ayaawx discourages behaviour that embarrasses the House.

6. Teaching Youth Giving youth purpose prevents them from harming each other.

Our ancestors already built the cure.

Healing Lateral Violence

Healing comes through:

• honest conversation,
• matriarch-led correction,
• apology with humility,
• community support,
• restoring harvesting and feasting together,
• learning the old laws again,
• creating safe places for youth to belong.

Healing means making the circle strong again.

Lateral Kindness (The Counter-Practice)

Instead of lateral violence, Ayaawx encourages:

• lifting others up,
• praising youth for their efforts,
• helping people learn their roles,
• sharing food and time,
• speaking gently,
• honouring each wilp’s struggles,
• protecting those who carry names,
• giving respect even during disagreement.

This is **lateral kindness** — the Tsm̱syen way of strengthening the people sideways, not breaking them sideways.

When Lateral Violence Must Be Corrected

If someone causes continued harm, Ayaawx allows:

• gentle correction,
• matriarch guidance,
• House conversation,
• removal from certain roles if needed,
• witnessed apology,
• teaching rather than punishment.

Correction (ha’lidzap) is always for restoration, never humiliation.

Summary

Lateral violence is not our way. It is colonial harm turned inward.

Ayaawx teaches us to:

• lift each other,
• speak truthfully,
• act with humility,
• protect the House,
• support youth,
• follow matriarch guidance,
• and rebuild trust.

A strong wilp does not allow its members to tear one another down. Healing lateral violence strengthens sovereignty.

Notes

INITIATION DRAFT — To be expanded with conflict-resolution teachings, feast-case examples, and matriarch perspectives on preventing internal harm.