Potlatch Ban


The potlatch continues, and today we refer to it as the Feast since it had to go underground for a time. In our tradition, it’s not just the Chiefs who play a role; the Houses themselves are responsible for paying witnesses and workers with new items and food. The House supports the Chief, showcasing the strength of both the House and the Tribe.

I may have shared this before, but when I was a child, we Gitxsan would hold a feast. A feast is something that fits within the framework of acceptable Christian events. The Indian Agents, who later became the RCMP and the band management, would allow us to gather, but only for Christian events. The Chiefs were aware that if we held a potlatch, someone could end up in jail, as had happened before. So, the Chiefs found a clever way to communicate and continue our traditions.

From 1885 until 1951, the federal government banned the potlatch as part of an effort to destroy Indigenous culture and religion. This ban was part of the Indian Act, which aimed to control the lives of Indigenous people and served as a tool of assimilation. My parents would wrap the payments for the workers in gift wrap, making them look like Christmas presents. This way, the potlatch was disguised as a Christmas celebration. It was a genius way to keep our customs alive while navigating the restrictions imposed on us.

Our Chiefs work together for the well-being of the Houses. In Gitxsan culture, the Houses own the land, and the Chief holds the title to that land. I come from the House of Woo'Sim'lax'huh', and this is our land.

We follow the laws of the matriarch, honoring the strength and wisdom of our mothers and grandmothers. This structure is vital to our identity and our way of life, reminding us of the importance of community, respect, and the connections we share with each other and the land.

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