It is led by Chief A-in-chut (meaning 'everyone depends on you') Shawn Atleo and the Taayi Haw̓ił - Maquinna (Lewis George).

The Nation is a confederation of multiple former groups: the Ahousaht (ʕaaḥuusʔatḥ), Manhousaht (Maan̓uusʔatḥ), Kelthsmaht (qiłcmaʔatḥ), Paneetl-aht (Paniiƛʔatḥ), Qwatswiaht (Qʷaacwiiʔatḥ), O-inmitisaht (Ḥuuʔinmitisʔatḥ), and Otsosaht (ʕuc̓uusʔahtḥ).

Some 36 percent of Ahousaht members live at Marktosis Indian Reserve (IR # 15), located on Flores Island north of Tofino.

Ahousaht's population of approximately 1900 people has been growing at an average rate of 2.6% per year; it is projected to increase to 3125 by 2024.

Many of these historic reserves, designated by the government of the day, tended to mark the general areas that were inhabited by the various members of the nation at the time of contact.

The Nation reports that many members living "away from home" have a strong interest in returning to their traditional territory if housing and employment were available.

They believe that the reserve designations may have been small because members of the Ahousaht nation, at the time of contact, did not occupy extensive territory on land.

The young men, led by Joseph George Sr., offer a thunderous voice for the nation when performing their art.

Speakers must be fluent in Nuu-chah-nultha and have a very strong knowledge of the history of the Haw̓iił seat (including lineage) and his ḥaḥuułi.

No Ha’wiith can hold tremendous power without the support of numerous people who are the bearers of customary laws.

[citation needed] Each Haw̓ił holds a Ḥaḥuułi that includes land, sea, resources and people within his territory.

Currently these individuals are: Ha’wiih of the four tribes that amalgamated with Ahousaht: Kelthsmaht – Vargas Island, Manhousaht, Qwatswiaht, and Oo-in-mitis, continue to be recognized as principal Hawiih.

[2] Overall, both Ha’wiih and Chief and Council represent the Ahousaht membership and honour our long history.

As changes were made in governing in the early 1950s, Ahousaht's first Council was appointed by the Ha’wiih rather than elected by the membership.

The main economic activities in the Ahousaht community are tourism, finfish aquaculture, forestry and fishing (including shellfish).

Members are employed seasonally in silviculture, water taxi transport, construction, tourism, forestry and aquaculture.

A protocol agreement signed in 2002 with Pacific National Aquaculture (now Mainstream Canada) provides access to Ahousaht traditional marine territory for the siting of salmon farms in exchange for employment opportunities, tenure fees and environmental monitoring and management improvements.

Iisaak Forest Resources (IFR) is a forestry company purchased in recent years by a group of nations in the Clayoquot Sound area.

Chronically high unemployment and the large young population about to or recently entered into the workforce create significant pressure for job creation, education and training.

Social and health issues continue to provide significant challenges for this remote community and impact work-readiness.

Further, almost half of the existing reserve (I.R15) is inaccessible to housing or other social development due to poor initial planning of the infrastructure layout.

Solid and sewage waste management is insufficient and the power supply via underwater lines is projected to last for another five to ten years.

This land had served as a treatment centre for many people, including members of Ahousaht; now, however, it is no longer used for such work.