the ha’wiih (hereditary chief) role in the ahousaht governing system is to look after their ha- ha’houlthee (territory and resources). the ha’wiih system is still alive among ahousaht people. it is the most important part of our history. laws, under the ha’wiih system, outline chieftainships and governance. the keepers of these laws are the wit-wok. no ha’wilth (hereditary chief) is above the law. every hereditary chief has advisors. no chief can make his own decision. a council (not the elected council, per se; rather, it is the people who are responsible to be an advisory to the chief) is depended upon for good, solid advice, before any decision is made for ahousaht. no ha’wilth speaks for himself, unless he has good news, or something good to share. all ha’wiih have speakers, who are trained, from an early age, for these duties. speakers must be fluent in our language and have a very strong knowledge of the history of the ha’wilth seat (including lineage) and his ha’houlthee. there are misconceptions about our ha’wiih system being similar to fiefdoms, but people must understand that it is a much more inter-connected system of governance with numerous accountability mechanisms. no ha’wiith can hold tremendous power without the support of a number of people who are the bearers of customary laws.