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 with a common ancestor. Within these family groups, the oldest to highest ranked individual would be labels as the Cheif of the family. Then an individuals rank within the family was determined by their relationship with the Chief. Cheifs were responsible
