Governance

Our Guiding Principles

Research into our past indicates that the Sliammon people's traditional form of governance was principle based, and that the rules people follower were derived from the following prinicples:

Accountability (Yeeq otl tlet)

• Take what you can use and learn from every experience and criticism.
• Expect more of yourself than you do of others
• Take responsibility for, and fix your mistakes to make yourself a better person

Communication (Qwaqwi stowtl)

• Always be careful of your words because they can be like weapons and can never be erased.
• Consultation must be meaningful, significant and inclusive.
• Respect the teachings of others, even when you do not agree.
• Listen and learn first and speak last

Discipline (Klossom qwygon)

• Be an asset to your family and your people in the best way you know how through hard work.
• Everyday brings a new lesson and an opportunity to make things better.
• Be self-sufficient; do not rely on others to take care of you.
• Make your mind and body strong so that you can overcome obstacles.

Fairness (Thath xwen)

• Don’t choose favourites among your children or your people.  Ensure that they are treated equally.
• Be transparent in your deeds, people need to witness how things work.
• Holding onto grudges and anger only comes back to hurt you later.

Honesty (Ganooxwet)

• Be true to yourself and others.
• Don’t participate in gossip because you do not know if it is true
• Intellect should never overshadow wisdom and common sense.

Humility (Pee yet qway gon)

• Never praise yourself; if you are truly great, others will do that for you. 
• Judge yourself first, and learn from your mistakes. 
• Have compassion for the plight of others; you have not lived their experience.
• Do not make fun of other people or similar bad things might happen to someone you love.

Integrity (Tee hegun metum)

• Be a living example of the change you want to see in others.
• Trust is earned; make sure you are worthy of it.
• You only have one reputation, it should honor your Ancestors

Respect (Tees tahm)

• Your everyday life should reflect your traditional teachings.
• Teach your children to behave appropriately towards other people and in public so they will carry on your values.
• Acknowledge your people and where you come from. 

Sharing (Ah ah thum)

• Together we are strong, our interdependence is the heart of who we are  
• When you give and do what you can, good things will come back to you.  Greed will never get you anywhere in the end.
• Cooperation can achieve great deeds, work together for the betterment of all.

Spirituality (Xax giy yanen)

• Give thanks to the shet-eh-goos everyday for what you have. 
• Remember that all living things are sacred and have a spirit.
• Everything in our territory must be sustainable and here for our children yet unborn.