Structure of the Nation

Structure of the Nation

Category: Tsm’syen Law Page status: Working

Purpose

This page describes the structure of governance and authority within the Tsm’syen Nation. It records understood relationships between houses, clans, leadership, and continuity as grounded in ayaawx and adaawx.

This page does not define modern administrative offices.

General principles

• Governance arises from ayaawx.
• Authority is layered and relational.
• Recognition and conduct determine authority.
• Rank does not remove legal limits.
• No single structure replaces all others.

Houses (Wilp / Waap)

• The house is the foundational unit of governance.
• Houses hold names, crests, adaawx, territories, and internal authority.
• Responsibility for members and conduct begins at the house level.
• House authority is not created by election or appointment.

Clans (Pteex)

• Clans connect houses through shared ancestry and law.
• Clans regulate relationships between houses.
• Clan authority provides balance and witnessing.
• Clan authority does not override house authority.

Sim’oogit

• Sim’oogit leadership exists at multiple levels.
• Leadership is ranked according to scope of responsibility.
• Rank reflects obligation, not control.
• Authority is limited by ayaawx.
• The number and description of Sim’oogit levels remains under review.

Mansimoogit

• Mansimoogit is a rank.
• It is the highest rank of Sim’oogit.
• Requires elderhood (mans) and long, witnessed conduct.
• Authority extends across houses and clans.
• Mansimoogit does not override ayaawx.
• Mansimoogit does not dissolve house or clan law.
• Recognition may be withdrawn if conduct fails.
• This rank is rare and not automatically permanent.

Elders

• Elders are recognized for knowledge, memory, and conduct.
• Elders serve as holders and interpreters of law.
• Elder authority is exercised through guidance and restraint.
• Elder status may overlap with Sim’oogit but is not identical.

Youth and continuity

• Youth are essential to the continuity of law.
• Governance must support transmission of ayaawx and adaawx.
• Preparation for responsibility is part of governance.

Balance of authority

• Governance operates through multiple levels.
• No level functions in isolation.
• Balance prevents concentration of authority.
• This balance is intentional and historical.

To be developed

• Documented descriptions of multiple Sim’oogit levels.
• Processes of recognition and witnessing.
• Relationship to modern governance bodies.
• Regional and contextual variations.

Related pages

• Ayaawx
• Adaawx
• Wilp
• Waap
• Pteex
• Sim’oogit
• Elders