Tongass National Forest Tour 2004

The Greenpeace crew of the Arctic Sunrise are welcomed into the Namgis Lodge on the 2004 Tongass Tour. The potlatch and the feast are the two most important events that occur in 'Namgis society. Both events revolve around the act of giving gifts, which was central to almost all aspects of social, political and economic life. By giving, the members of a numaym, meaning "one kind" - an extended family unit, demonstrated their obligations and gratitude to the plants, animals, birds and fish in return for giving themselves up for human use. Potlatches and feasts are also where marriages and births are announced and celebrated and where deaths are mourned. By giving at these ceremonies the members of the numaym also demonstrate their rights to certain ranks and accompanying privileges and property. Among the 'Namgis and other Kwakwaka'wakw (Kwakwala speaking) Nations there are two categories of property: there is the territorial property owned by the numaym and then there is ceremonial property. At the head of a numaym is the Chief who holds numaym property and who organizes his numaym to host potlatches and feasts.