Role Of Stewardship

Submitted By seae
Words: 636
Pages: 3
Open Document
The individual "ownership" or stewardship of economic areas was re- garded as highly important, giving, as it did, a measure of authority to the incumbent of the position-political authority of a sort, and thus prestige. The rights were inherited according to local rules of inheritance (by the sister's son among Tlingit, Haida, Tsimshian, and Xaisla; by the son else- where in the area), so that it came about that in every Northwest Coast society economic wealth was in the hands of the direct descendants of a single line.
Thus, the economic possessions of a Northwest Coast society were chiefly in the custody of, or nominally "owned" by, a line of eldest sons of eldest sons (or the matrilineal counterpart of such a line). By virtue of their stewardship these men were elevated to prominence. Direct- ing utilization of the natural resources as they did, they were the acknowl- edged heads of the groups-the heads of the extended families.to

ed heads of the groups-the heads of the extended families.to The extended family heads are the individuals referred to commonly, as the "chiefs.""' The close relatives of the chiefs were not lacking in prestige, however, not only because they were intimately associated with the head of the social group, but in addition they customarily held various minor properties, in lands and other things as well.12They were ranked according to their nearness to the chief. In the course of a few generations, as the secondary lines of descent diverged more and more from the direct line, and as patrimonies dwindled, descendants of the chief's brothers could claim but a low rank. Nonetheless by virtue of their kinship to the head of the village they retained certain rights and privileges. The rights of utilization of economic tracts by all group members may be reckoned an expression of this recognition of blood-relationship, as was, in the north, the right to receive at potlaches even though in a low place.

The significance of these last-named facts is that status in its minimum terms-membership in society-was derived from kinship and expressed in terms of wealth.
The first thing that set our individual off from his fel- lows was his name. Names, on the northern coasts, were very definitely hereditary property, and what is more, each name carried with it a particu- lar social evaluation based on its traditional origin and the honor or dis- repute of its bearers subsequently. That is to say, the names
Show More

Related Documents: Role Of Stewardship

Northwest Coast Salmon Research Paper

The Importance of Salmon on the Northwest Coast “Scientists estimate 138 species of wildlife, everything from whales to insects, depend on salmon for their food.” Salmon play a great role in the ecosystems and cultures throughout the Northwest Coast. As a crucial part of the food chain, they provide food to many species like bears, seals, and eagles, making them already relied upon. Not only that, but they also fertilize nearby plants and trees with essential nutrients. The species is also important…

Words 751 - Pages 4

Maritime Fur Trade System

The maritime fur trade on the northwest coast, the whalers in the Artic-Inuit Native and the labourers, all played a large role in international trading and globalization. The maritime fur trade mostly occurred between the Natives, and the Hudson Bay company and the French after 1820. Nonetheless, Russia is said to be the pioneers, as they perfected the trading business in Kamchatka prior to UK and US entering in the late 1780s (E. E. Rich, 1960). The maritime fur trade was a ship-based fur trade…

Words 393 - Pages 2

Mr Sal Essay

(NGLs). Other things that the company operates are refineries, ethanol plants, and terminals. Williams company which has pipelines all over the United States, which run through the Northwest, the Rockies, the Gulf Coast, and the East. The gas pipeline unit operates three major interstate pipeline companies (Transco, Northwest, and Gulfstream). Williams Companies, Inc. has three main competitors which are, Exxon Mobile Corporation, El Paso Corporation, and Dynegy Inc. Which are all primarily engaged…

Words 416 - Pages 2

Tsimthic Family Group

In the Northwest Coast community there was never a democracy developed. According to our text the "social unit, among the northern nations, was ordinarily politically independent"(Page 111). The Tsimshian, "entered into formal alliances with other linaeges, it retained it's importance economic possessions-fishing stations, hunting areas, berrying grounds"(Page 111) The society consisted from different classes: commoners, salves and nobles. Divided into basic social units, extended family members…

Words 252 - Pages 2

Ruby Beach Research Paper

visited in the Summer, Kalaloch and Ruby Beach provide solitude, peace and an opportunity for introspection in the late winter and early spring before the summer crowds arrive. This is the time when we can celebrate and appreciate being Pacific Northwest residents who are lucky enough to have these magical places all to ourselves. The shining gem of this area is Ruby Beach, which has a large parking area and pit toilets as well as a scenic trail down to the beach which is graced by rock formations…

Words 526 - Pages 3

Sasquatch And The Characteristics Of The Walking Bear

The myth was said to be started in the Pacific Northwest in North America when a farmer said that he saw a bear stand on two feet and start walking. He then said that the bear did not look like a bear at all it looked like a human from a distance and it also walked like a regular human. He explains that the characteristics of the walking bear was that it was very hairy and walked like person. It also left really bigfoot prints that almost looked like human footprints but much larger.Bigfoot or Wild…

Words 208 - Pages 1

Among The Tlingit And Haida Analysis

individual was assigned at birth, on the basis of the affiliation of his mother"(Page 109). The such divisions are labeled as "moieties" due to division of national or tribal group. This being said it was compulsory that each person in the Native of the Northwest community marry a person from an opposite division. Marriages always consisted of people from two different clans. Man paid the father an agreed upon amount…

Words 220 - Pages 1

Northwest Passage Research Paper

The Northwest passage The Northwest passage is a sea route that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through the arctic waters of Northern Canada. The passage extends from the Baffin Bay in the Northern Atlantic Ocean to the Beaufort Sea on the Pacific Ocean. Since the last ice age, this sea route has been covered in ice for the majority of the year, and was only traversable during the summer months. Not only this, but due to the unpredictability of weather in the far north, parts of the passage…

Words 919 - Pages 4

White Tailed Tropicbird Essays

on both sides of the north Atlantic this bird undertakes seasonal migrations and is a spectacular high-speed diver Thunder bird- The Thunderbird is a widespread figure in Native American mythology, particularly among Midwestern, Plains, and Northwest Coast tribes. Thunderbird is described an enormous bird…

Words 437 - Pages 2

Olympic National Park Research Paper

Roosevelt signed the act establishing Olympic National Park. In 1981, the Historic Olympic National Park was named a World Heritage site in recognition of its exceptional natural beauty and outstanding diversity of plants and animals. Located in the northwest…

Words 332 - Pages 2