Jurisdictional responsibility
Jurisdictional responsibility
Jurisdictional responsibility is the duty to govern, protect, and answer for a place, a people, and the relationships that exist within them. Jurisdiction is not control alone—it is accountability.
Authority over a territory exists only where responsibility is actively upheld.
What jurisdiction means
Jurisdiction includes responsibility for:
- land and waters
- people living within the territory
- passage, access, and movement
- relationships with neighboring peoples
- impacts caused within the territory
Jurisdiction is exercised through care, not domination.
Source of jurisdiction
Jurisdiction arises from:
- historical relationship to place
- acts of protection, sacrifice, or consequence
- witnessing and feast acknowledgment
- continuous stewardship across generations
- recognition by other houses and peoples
Jurisdiction cannot be created by declaration alone.
Responsibilities within jurisdiction
Jurisdictional responsibility includes:
- protecting the integrity of the land and waters
- ensuring balance and restraint in use
- addressing harm that occurs within the territory
- enforcing accountability through proper process
- maintaining access and safety according to law
- teaching future generations their duties
Failure to act is itself a jurisdictional failure.
Limits of jurisdiction
Jurisdiction is not absolute.
It is limited by:
- overlapping responsibilities with other houses
- established agreements and relationships
- obligations arising from past events
- accountability to witnesses and adaawk
Jurisdiction exercised without regard to responsibility becomes illegitimate.
Jurisdiction during disruption
During disruption:
- jurisdiction is held in trust
- responsibilities are preserved, even if practice is interrupted
- authority may be constrained but not erased
- restoration remains required
Disruption does not transfer jurisdiction by default.
Disputed jurisdiction
When jurisdiction is disputed:
- history is examined
- adaawk are consulted
- witnesses are recalled
- feast acknowledgment clarifies responsibility
Unresolved jurisdiction remains an active legal matter.
Consequences of failing jurisdiction
When jurisdictional responsibility is violated:
- legitimacy erodes
- intervention may occur
- authority may be limited or withdrawn
- obligation follows the name until addressed
Jurisdiction must answer for its impacts.
Core principle
Jurisdiction exists only where responsibility is upheld. To hold a place is to answer for it.