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Potlatch
For the Aboriginal people in British Columbia, the potlatch was a very important part of their culture. Potlatch comes from the word patshatl meaning "giving". Potlatch is a way of life to celebrate their life such as weddings, mourning the dead or naming a new chief. In the beginning potlatches took a long time to prepare and would last for a number of weeks whereas now it will last a day or two.
In our Carrier customs we too had the potlatch system. The government did not understand the potlatch system and it was outlawed in 1884/85 and anybody taking part in the potlatch system was put in jail. When the potlatch was banned, it lasted for 65 years and was very devastating to the Aboriginal Culture for the potlatch was a very important part of our culture. We had different types of potlatches. We had potlatches when a child was born and when a child got his/her Indian name. We had potlatches when a man/woman became of age. We had potlatches when a person passed on and for others occasions.
