Aboriginal people gathered for potlatch ceremonies before 1884 when the Canadian government banned potlatches. Potlatch ceremonies were held in many different ways for different reasons. The people holding the potlatch would invite guests to attend their party where they would sing, dance, feast, and more. The people that attended the potlatch would leave with many gifts and foods they received from the host. The host would share these things to show their generosity and wealth, helping to establish or maintain the family's social status.
Usually the hereditary chief practiced the potlatches. They were the people that would give away their possessions and share their wealth. They held potlatches to celebrate births, marriages, puberty, and honoring the deceased. Other chiefs would hold potlatches to conduct family business', provide payments to invited witnesses and to share food and gifts.
In the modern world today we practice potlatches in a similar way. I'll share an example that was mentioned in class to portray the fact that potlatches are used today. If i were to get married and my parents spent thousands of money in preparing my wedding. Thousands of people ate a 5 coarse expensive meal, their was a huge wedding cake, and the wedding was held at a exotic large place. This shows that my family is displaying wealth and trying to establish or maintain the family's social status.
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