Tribal chief



A Tribal Chief is the leader of a Water Tribe settlement. Though the chief of the Northern Water Tribe has more true power, in principle all Chiefs are equal, and convene together to make decisions. Though it is unknown how the title is passed down, it is likely either hereditary or an elected position. The chiefs generally live in the main city of their home tribe.

It is implied that there are differences between the Northern and Southern Water Tribes political structure, as well as the exact nature of the Chief's power. Yue, the daughter of the Northern Tribe's Chief Arnook, was the Tribe's princess, while Katara and Sokka, the children of the Southern Tribe's Chief Hakoda, are considered peasants. This may be because the Northern Tribe was less devastated by the War, and thus larger and more politically complex.



It could also be that the position of Chief is hereditary in the north and democratically elected in the south. It is known that in the Southern Water Tribe, all people (including the chief) are considered equal and that no one ranks higher than another or by gender, unlike the Northern Water Tribe, where people are "ranked" by profession and gender. The concept of tribal chief may or may not be present in the Foggy Swamp Tribe.

It is presumed that the Sandbender Tribes also have a Tribal Chief. Furthermore, the Sun Warriors also have a chief.

Current Chiefs



 * Chief Arnook (Northern Water Tribe)
 * Chief Hakoda (Southern Water Tribe)
 * Chief Sha-Mo (Sandbender Tribes)
 * Chief of the Sun Warriors (Sun Warriors)