The Aonikenk were organized in tribes, formed by several related families.
The cacique lead the hunting expeditions and mediated the internal conflicts.
The cacique was not a political leader; he was more an organizer of certain practical activities within the tribe.
In case of war with other groups, such as the Mapuches or the Puelches, the Caciques rejoined in assemblies, and decided about the course of action.
Other than their height and in spite of the adverse climate, the Aonikenk had a very long life expectancy.
The explorer Ramon Lista, who lived with these natives over a century ago, describes elders of eighty, ninety or even more than one-hundred years old living among them.