Potlatch, Alert Bay

Potlatch, Alert Bay

Potlatch
British Columbia
Indigenous people

A black and white image. The centre of the picture consists of two groups of rows of different pots on the floor. Around the rows are lines of people, who are mostly in western style dress. The majority of the people appear to be men. A large monumental totem pole is visible in the centre, along with a few more further in the background. A row of houses is in the background. A hatted man in the centre of the picture appears blurred, giving indication of the type of camera used.
It relates to indigenous people, their customs and traditions whilst within the Canadian nation. Also provides evidence of potlach occurring during the Canadian Potlach ban.

Major James Skitt Matthews, Alert Bay

City of Vancouver Archives

http://searcharchives.vancouver.ca/indian-potlach-alert-bay-b-c

circa 1912

Melvin Kwan

City of Vancouver Archives
Copyright status: public domain

N/A

Visual - photograph

20th century British Columbia