The cultures of the Northwest had a very unique way of developing an economic system and perspective on the attainment of personal wealth. Not much different from anywhere else, history has seen the economy in the Northwest build up with industries such as fishing, salmon fisheries and some logging. This seems no different from other cultures, until you learn about what is done to show off your hard earned money/possessions.

In the Northwest cultures, the Potlatch was/is a way of life. Potlatches were held for many reasons: to mark important occasions in a Chief's life; naming his children, passing on dances, marriages, mourning the dead, passing on Chieftainships, basically passing on any rights and privileges.

The Chief would invite the guests to come, the tribes to come, to witness and participate in the event. The Potlatch would include dancing, singing and story telling.

" Then the potlatch...