The potlatch may have served to ensure that resources on the Pacific Northwest Coast were redistributed throughout the region during times of feast and famine.

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The potlatch was a traditional social event among Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast that involved the giving away of goods and food, often in lavish displays of generosity. This practice was seen as a way of redistributing resources and establishing social and economic relationships between different groups and individuals. During times of famine or other hardships, the potlatch could help to ensure that people had access to the resources they needed to survive, while also reinforcing social ties and mutual obligations within the community.

The Potlatch May Have Served to Ensure That Resources on the Pacific