Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-11-21
THE PoTLAcH.
A Feast Celebrated by Indians in
British Columbia.

oIlbASA
The Canadian Government have been
advised that great preparations are being
made among the Indian tribes OF British
Columbia for the largest 'Potlach or
"Giye Away Feast" that has ever been
held ON the Pacific Coast, which is to
come off ON the northern extremity OF
Vancouver Island, near Fort Rupert, on
Christmas Day. The Potlach VIII be
given by Capt. Jim, an aged Indian
chief, known from one end OF the pro-
vince to the other. The articles to be
lent comprise 5000 blankets, 500 pairs
of silver bracelets (Indian make), forty
large canoes, and muck a.muck galore,
in all valued ut $40, DOC. For this SlO,-
600 Can't. jim, according to native Gus
tom. will receive within two years SO,
600. The potlach viii embrace nineteen
tribes residing between Qualicum and
Fort Rupert.
This will make the one hundredth
potlach Capt. Jim has given, and he
now intends to eclipse all former efforts
In that line. The centurion hero OF the
potlach is about SO years of age, OF N
physique, and speaks English with re-
markable fuency. In his last annual
report the superintendent General OF
Indian Affairs calls attention to the
wretched heather feast, as he calls the
potlach. which is entailing great loss OF
property and time among the Indians OF
the Pacific coast, and which, he believes,
is at the root of all the wees among
them, the older members OF the tribes
taking the opportunity at these gather
ings to intimidate the younger ones VINO
show any desire for reformation. In
I commenting upon these gatherings the
| Superintendent General says:
1.-THE older members of the various
bands are strongly welded to the cele-
bration of the heather feast known as
the sPotlach,' and to indulging IN a
medicine dance which is designated
sTamanawas.' As these feasts and
dances are prohibited by the law and
the celebration OF them is declared to
be n misdemeanor, it is hoped that the
visiting superintendent for the Province
and the local agent will adopt early and
vigorous measures to cause the law L
this respect to be enforced In the case
of violators of the same in this agency,
and that similar steps will be taken IN
other places where the law is VIC a'ed
by the celebration Of these prohibited
heathenish ceremonies.
elm regard to the potlach, there are
tokens that it must o o undergo O
marked change or gradually die out
The reason for this is that OF late years
blankets have so deprecated in value
that few if any new blankets are bought,
as the purchase entails a loss. New
blankets cannot be purchased for less
than $3.50 a pair, and they are only
worth $3.50 among themselves conse
a~uently they are becoming very scarce
and money is gradually taking theii
place. While visiting the Mar-ma,lil
fi-kulia tribe recently it was forcibly
impressed upon me, as small pieces o
stick were often given IN lieu OF blan
kets, to be redeemed as soon as the maj
was able. / also saw a good Zeal o
silver given away, perhaps as much a
$500 or $500, at a potach thas TOOK plac'
while | was there.
The advices received from British
Columbia would not appear to indicate
that the uperintendent-G GENERALS hope
are to be realized # Capt. Jim succeed
in evading Government interference II
carrying out the great potlach he ha
arranged for Christmas.