Navajo "government" was based traditionally on kinship and clan ties, with people of wisdom and experience leading various family, band, and clan groups. People of experience and wisdom were (and are) called "nataani" or "respected elders". Families were drawn together during ceremonial times of need when a relative would get sick and require a ceremony or "sing" as the healings are called. No one family, band, or clan could make decisions binding to all Navajos and "government" was largely based on consensus. Once a decision was made, all involved in the process would honor that decision. Individual feelings and needs were always considered to be important and decision-making could be a lengthy process as a result. Decisions came down to your kinship, to the local family, to the local clan, and it was done through consensus. It was a real, genuine democracy at work.