Gifting in Potlatch
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| Old copper, etched with beaver motif; Tlingit or Kwakiutl PMAE # 24-20-10/98044 |
Copper, made up of broken cut pieces; Kwakiutl PMAE # 05-7-10/65473 |
Available resources determined the kinds of gifts distributed and has changed over time. Before contact, gifts might have included canoes, slaves, goat hair blankets, and food (perhaps stored in boxes such as the one shown on the first page of this section). The variety and quantities of gifts increased with European trade. Photographs taken in the late 19th century show piles of trade blankets, sacks of flour, household goods, bracelets, and even sewing machines.
Brass bracelets; Tsimshian: Gitksan
PMAE #14-27-10/85838
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| 19th Century Button Blanket; Kwakiutl PMAE # 52-27-10/33510 |
Button Blanket; Tlingit PMAE # 55-4-10/34860 |