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

Thu Canadian Government have been
advised that great preparations are being
made among the Indian tribes OF BRUSH
Columbia for the largest "Potlach, or
"Give Away Feast" that has ever been
held on the Pacific Coast, which is to
come off on the northern extremity oil
Vancouver Island, near Fort Rupert, on
Christmas Day. The Potlach will 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 $500 blankets, 500 pairs
of silver bracelets (Indian make), forty
large canoes, and muck q muck galore,
in all valued ut $4,000 For this SlO,-
600 Can't. Jim, according to native Gus
tom. will receive within two years S20,-
600. The potlach VIII embrace nineteen
tribes residing between Quailcum ana
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 65 years of age, OF lne
physique, and speaks English with re-
inarkable fluency. In his last annual
report the Observation-Disclosures OF
Indian Affairs calls attention to the
wretched heather feast, as he calls the
poslach, which is entailing great loss OF
nroperty and time among the Indians OF
the Pacific coast, and which, he believes,
is at the root Of all the vices am6 ng
/ them, the older members OF the tribes
taking the opportunity ut these gather-
ings to intimidate the younger ones VINO
/ show any desire for reformation. In
commenting upon these gatherings the
| SUPERINTENDENT General says;
1.-THE older members of the various
bands are strongly welded to the ceie-
bration of the heather feast known as
the sPotlach,' and to iudulging 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 III
this respect to be enforced In the case
of violators of the same in this agency
and that similar steps will be taken IL
other places where the law IS vlo a'ec
by the celebration of these prohlblteo
heathenish ceremonies.
sin regard to the potlach, there are
tokens that it must soon undergo 2
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 loss. New
blankets cannot be purchased for les
than $3.50 a pair, and they are ONLY
worth $3.50 among themselves conse
ouently they are becoming very scarce
and money is gradually taking thei
place. While visiting the Mar-ma-ll III
fi-kulia tribe recently it was forcibl,
impressed upon me, as small pieces 0
stick were often given in lieu OF blan
kets. to be redeemed as soon as the MAJ
was able. | also saw good deal
silver given away, perhaps as much q
5000 or $500, at potach tina. took plae
while | was there.
The advices received from BI1tisl
Columbia would not appear to lndlcat
that the Superintendent Generals hope
are to be realized # Capt. jim succeed
in evading Government interference Il
carving out the great potlach he ma