RED INDIAN CUSTOM

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 52, Issue 3750, 1 May 1936, Page 4

RED INDIAN CUSTOM

THE FAREWELL PARTY. CANADIAN LAW TO STOP IT. The “ potlateh,” the curious farewell party of the North American Indian, is doomed to extinction, acV cording to an Ottawa correspondent, who says that the Hon. T. A. Crerar, Superintendent-General of Indian Affairs, has brought in a Bill to abolish the custom. When an Indian is going away he ask all his friends and neighbours to a “ potlatch,” and there is a big feast and dance.

The giver of the “potlatch” gathers about him all his worldly possessions and, while the festivities are in progress, he gives away everything he possesses.

His generosity often goes too far. He has even been known to give away his squaw. There is also a religious side to the “ potlatch,” but this phase has dwindled and is not now clearly understood.

The " potlatch " has for many years been frowned upon by the authorities, partly because of the heavy drinking that goes on, and it has long been an infraction of the Indian Act. NoWand then, however, the vigilance of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is evaded, and a " potlatch ” is held. The “ potlatch ” is sometimes used by Indians seeking prestige in the tribe, or preferment. It is not altogether an altruistic entertainment. While the “ potlatch " has largely disappeared among the plains and the eastern Indians, it still persists among the remoter Indians of northern Brit- > ish Columbia. Mr Crerar is also tightening the Indian Act to prevent Indians giving away their property to someone outside the reserve (sometimes under the influence of drink), and there will "be stricter rules as to the council meetings of the tribes.