In the past, each Iroquoian community was ruled by clan-appointed chiefs. Each chief had a specialty, a little like the ministers of the government today: they made decisions on hunting, relations with other nations, travel and a Grand Chief coordinated the work of the chiefs.
Among the Algonquians, chiefs were chosen for their great human qualities, their hunting expertise and their wisdom in the redistribution of wealth.
Today this system still exists, but most communities hold elections to choose the women and men who will be their chiefs and the Grand Chief, who represents the entire nation. Grand Chiefs also get together to make decisions for all Aboriginal people and to negotiate with the Government of Quebec or Canada.