| One of the most popular ceremonies among | | | | claims since written records were not produced. |
| Native peoples is the Northwest Coast Native | | | | Lower status families would hold potlatches on a |
| American potlatch (or potlach of Native Indians of | | | | local scale while the elite would invite guests from |
| the Pacific Northwest). The potlatch has been | | | | many tribes to grander events. Sometimes, rival |
| practiced by Native nations such as the Haida, | | | | families would be in competition to outdo each |
| Salish, Tlingit, Tsimshian and Kwakwaka'wak for | | | | other in elaborate potlatches. The potlatch itself |
| thousands of years. | | | | would either be held inside a large longhouse or |
| Potlatches can be held to celebrate births, rites of | | | | outdoors. |
| passages, weddings, funerals, puberty and | | | | Unfortunately, missionaries considered the potlatch |
| honoring of deceased. These celebrations will | | | | to be demonic and satanic. As a result, they were |
| typically include a feast, music, some theatrical | | | | able to get the Canadian government to ban |
| performances involving tribal masks and spiritual | | | | potlatches in 1885. The US government also |
| events. The host family of each potlatch will also | | | | placed a similar ban in the late 19th century. |
| demonstrate their wealth and social status by | | | | Potlatches continued on a much smaller scale and |
| distributing gifts to the guests. Gifts included food, | | | | in secrecy away from non-native eyes. The bans |
| canoes, blankets, copper and many other types | | | | on the potlatch were eventually lifted in the US in |
| of items. Potlatches will often elevate the prestige | | | | 1934 and in Canada in 1951. |
| of the hosts even more. | | | | Potlatches are still held today but of course, the |
| Potlatches were also used to assert or formally | | | | types of gifts are also more contemporary and |
| transfer to heirs, certain economic or ceremonial | | | | can include useful household items, Native art as |
| privileges. The gifts were therefore used as | | | | well as cash. |
| payments to the guests for being witnesses to | | | | |