"Potlatch" (performance event)

A Potlatch is a traditional ceremonial event originating from Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest, especially among First Nations like the Coast Salish and Haida. It functions as a social, cultural, and economic gathering where hosts showcase their wealth and generosity through the distribution of gifts, often involving elaborate ceremonies, dances, and speeches. The event reinforces social bonds, hierarchy, and community values, and gifts exchanged often symbolize status and respect. Today, Potlatches are also performed as cultural revitalization efforts and celebrated as important cultural heritage, blending tradition with contemporary expressions of identity.