Potlatch Collection

TLINGIT NATIVE AMERICAN, c1906. Kaw-Claa, a Tlingit Native American woman, in full potlatch dancing costume. Photograph, c1906

Alaskan Potlatch
Alaskan natives gather for a POTLATCH - a ritual exchange of hospitality and gifts which often ruins the donors who seek to compete in displays of generosity

Potlatch Welcome, c.1928 (oil on canvas)
996023 Potlatch Welcome, c.1928 (oil on canvas) by Carr, Emily (1871-1945); 110.3x67.2 cm; Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto

POTLATCH CEREMONY, 1894. Members of the secret Hamatsa Society at a Kwakiutl potlatch ceremony, at Fort Rupert, British Columbia, Canada, during the winter ceremonial season, known as Tsetseka

Industry Idaho Mills Rail transport 1906 Potlatch
Industry in Idaho, Mills in Idaho, Rail transport in Idaho, 1906, Idaho, Potlatch, Potlatch Mill

KWAKIUTL VILLAGE, 1894. A view of a Kwakiutl village at Port Rupert, British Columbia, Canada, showing wood plank houses, blanket poles (where piles of blankets were placed during potlatch ceremonies)

ALASKA: POTLATCH DANCERS. Tlingit dancers in costume at a potlatch ceremony in Klukwan, Alaska. Photographed by Eric A. Hegg, 14 October 1898

POTLATCH CEREMONY, 1894. Kwakiutl Native Americans counting blankets to be distributed at a potlatch ceremony at Fort Rupert, British Columbia, Canada, during the winter ceremonial season

ALASKA: POTLATCH DANCERS. Native Americans of the Chilkat tribe gather for a Potlatch dance in Alaska. Photograph, c1895

ALASKA: POTLATCH DANCERS. Native American potlatch dancers of the Kok-wol-too village, on the Chilkat River, Alaska. Photograph, c1895

ALASKA: POTLATCH DANCERS. Potlatch dancers of the Native American village of Chilkat, Alaska, c1895

North America, USA, Idaho, Old Red Barn With Spring Green Field
USA, Idaho, Old Red Barn With Spring Green Field (PR)

NA, USA, Idaho, near Potlatch Wildrose in bloom
NA, USA, Idaho, near Potlatch, Wildrose in bloom

USA, Idaho, Potlatch. Patterns in agricultural fields. Credit as: Dennis Flaherty / Jaynes Gallery / DanitaDelimont

Mid growth wheat field near Potlatch Idaho

Traditionally the Tlingit used wood stakes and cedar pins to slow cook salmon over low flame fires giving the fish a smokey flavor. (PR)

American flag painted onto fireworks stand near Potlatch Idaho

NA, USA, Idaho, near Potlatch, Wooden barn and canola. (PR) (MR)

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The Potlatch: A Celebration of Native American Culture Step back in time to the early 1900s, where the rich traditions and vibrant cultures of the Tlingit and Kwakiutl Native Americans come alive through the ancient ceremony known as potlatch. This captivating event, captured in photographs from that era, offers a glimpse into a world filled with dance, costumes, and communal gatherings. In one striking image, we see Kaw-Claa, a Tlingit woman adorned in her full potlatch dancing costume. Her regalia reflects her tribe's unique heritage and serves as a visual testament to their deep connection with nature. The intricate details of her attire speak volumes about their reverence for tradition. Moving further north to Port Rupert in British Columbia, we witness an entire Kwakiutl village bustling with activity during another potlatch ceremony. Members of the secret Hamatsa Society can be seen immersed in their sacred rituals while counting blankets that will soon be distributed among attendees. Blankets hold great significance within this cultural exchange – they symbolize wealth and generosity. Traveling across borders to Alaska reveals more mesmerizing scenes from these indigenous celebrations. In Klukwan on the banks of Chilkat River or Klinkwan village nestled amidst breathtaking landscapes, Native American dancers gather together for potlatches that unite communities and honor ancestral customs. These images not only capture moments frozen in time but also provide valuable insights into the spirit behind these ceremonies. Potlatches were not just festive occasions; they represented something much deeper – an opportunity for tribes to showcase their social status by giving away lavish gifts such as blankets or other precious items. Potlatches served as platforms for fostering unity among different clans while reinforcing cultural values passed down through generations. They were spaces where stories were shared through song and dance – a celebration of identity rooted firmly within each community's history.