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Northwestern Native American Potatches

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As you hear the buzz of conversation while you prepare the food on the beach, you wonder what this potlatch would be like. You listen to the drums being pounded and look at the dancers rehearsing one last time. The chief enters the scene. The potlatch is about to begin. A potlatch is a huge party held by wealthy and important people, such as the chief. The host would give away his or her possessions to every guest. Everyone got a different gift depending on how important they were to the tribe. According to "Potlatches and Totem Poles," it took years to prepare certain kinds of potlatches. The Northwestern Native Americans held different types of potlatches. Some potlatches were held for marriages, to celebrate important
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