The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1907-04-04
THE FtATHEAD
RESERVATION
teontinued from page /.

on the subject. Blinking Bear was de-
posed from authority and another took
his place. He no longer has power OF
favor among the people he once ruled,
and few years ago the old man nveu
in tepee all by himself on the banks
of the Kootenai, with neither squaw,
pappoose nor friend to bear him COM
pany.
The Flathead Indians had curious
custom of present giving known asi
'Potlach,'' which still exists.
The Potlatch.
1t was a custom of ceremonial gift
distribution on large scale, prevalent
among the tribes Of the Northwest
coast The custom is the greatest of
all public ceremonies among these tribes.
and the principal actor spends life
time of preparation in accommodating
and storing up valuable property, all
of which is finally to be given away in
one magnificent display of generosity
in the presence of the assembled tribes
men from the villages for miles around.
Altho to a stranger this wholesale Civ
ing appears mere display of wastefui
extravaganza, it is in fact wise in
vestment at compound interest to be
repaid in double value when need shall
demand, and in whatever form of help
may be required. Boas says: The
each man who has received present
becomes to double the amount he has
| received the debtor of the giyer.'
The potlatch Is, in fact. the recog-
niZed investment system of the North
west coast, the security being guaran-
teed by tribal honor. Potlatch cere-
monies are celebrated on all important
occasions, as the taking of name or a
wife, the initiation into new dance,
the installation of a chief, as well as
at the will of the individual giver.
When great distribution Is to be made,
the announcement is first sent out by
the Chief to all the neighboring tribes.
after which the date is fixed by council
in the tribe Of the giver. Messengers
| are then again sent out u invite the
guests, who come in canoes, hating at
some distance from the village to put
on their best dress and paint. They
then advance to the village in grand
canoe procession. the BOWS of the
canoes all abreast, each tribe singing
its own song for the ceremony. AS
they draw near, the whole village goes
down to the beach to welcome them,
the Chiefs son or daughter, dressed in
the mask of his clan, leading the way
with dance in their honor A few
blankets are given them, when they are
escorted to the Chiefs house, where
blankets are again distributed. They
then by all the others of the tribe that
can afford it. After the feasting is
done, the grand distribution takes place,
with songs and ceremonial accompani-
ment, each guest receiving blankets
and other property according to his
rank. This is farewell feast. and the
visitors return to their canoes and their
homes.
Seattle and His Family.
Old Seattle, once the big Warchief of
the Flatheads, was a wonderful man,
and 1t Is after him that the great Wash
ington town Is named. Seattle once
owned all that section of the country,
and his son and daughter. Seattle and
Angelina, lived after him for nearly col
years. Angelina was known as THE
Princess. Without doubt she was the
ugliest, the dirtiest, the proudest Prin-
cess that ever wore the title. She had
great riches, and she sometimes elected
to make a great show with them, but
she could also beg, and was for nearly
century one of the famous figures of
the coast country. dying only a few
years ago. Another generation will
probably see the Flatheads existingl
only in tradition,