All Indian identities are seen from outside or compared to an outside model. That could be said of every kind of social idol, that we write ourself into the tribal script according to our own messianic version of the future. Thats how I am an Indian. From birth I was presented with the choice to be Indian or White, and thanks to my White Mother, I chose Indian every time. Now I see that my personal Indianness was choosing me and so I'll explain Potlatch on that basis.

Potlatch makes the assumption that Heaven will reward the best ecological disbursal of wealth. The more the Chief gives away the more Creation must restore, in an increasing spiral of wealth and attendant sharing out of that bounty with the known world, inorder to make the Chief's Title famous. This affirms the Social Hierarchy. The principle of Potlatch works the same with Information. The more truth one has, and the more truthful one is, the more ecological power one's words have. The dynamic of ecological power has to be demonstrated in advance, foretold and anticipated, to attract the confrontatation of opposing powers. This juxtaposes the Olympics with this article.

Will the Olympics prove to be under human control, or under Potlatch?

Learn more about this author, Skidegate.
Click here to send author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about Native American perspectives on "Indian" identities?
We want to hear your view. Write now!