History of the Potlatch
By Regine & Thanh Thanh
Tsimshians and other Northwest Coast Indians held Potlatches many hundreds of years ago. A Potlatch served many important functions. Long ago, before people wrote deeds to show ownership, property, wills and prove inheritances, having a Potlatch was a way for people to claim rank privileges.
The host of a Potlatch would call all the people from nearby villages to stay for many days. A large feast would be prepared for the guests. Then, in front of the crowd, the host of the Potlatch would claim hereditary, rank privilege (such as the name of a relative who died) or a position of leadership. By witnessing the event, guests made the host's claim valid. In return, the host gave valuable gifts to each guest.
The Potlatch was also a way people could learn about major events in their culture's life. They might recognize a new chief, learn new names or witness an adoption. The Potlatch was an occasion for raising totem poles, to express grief at the death of an important person and to honour that person's memory.
Having a Potlatch was one of the few times that people got together in a large group. Ancestors enjoyed the Potlatch because they would meet new people and be reunited with their culture. They listened to stories, songs and performed dances and dramas. Potlatches helped keep legends and history alive.
Giving away valuable gifts during the Potlatch was an important part of the tradition. This encouraged the Northwest Coast people to become artists. Each time a Potlatch was held the host would try to outdo all of the other hosts in the quantity and quality of the gifts that were given away. Only powerful, wealthy people were able host a Potlatch. A successful Potlatch made the host become more important in his community.
Later, missionaries came to live with the Northwest Coast people to teach them about Christianity. The Potlatch tradition seemed strange. It did not seem right for someone to give away all their valuable belongings, especially when people didn't have very much. In 1885, The Government of Canada passed a law that said holding a Potlatch was illegal.
The Northwest Coast Indians knew they could be arrested and sent to prison for holding a Potlatch. But some people still held them. Sometimes Potlatches were held secretly. Other times people tried to go around the law and gave away food instead of handmade gifts. Things like sacks of flour and barrels of ooligan (OOH-leh-gan) grease, a flavoring made from fermented fish, were given instead.
