consumption of alcohol. The issue of economics was simple in the notion that the native desire to give away all their goods was the opposite of the "Christian capitalist" values held in high esteem by Euro-Canadians. Opponents Aside from the Chiefs who were potlatching, there were other voices lent to oppose the imposition of a potlatch ban. The German-born anthropologist Franz Boas was familiar with the institution through his work on Vancouver Island. He opposed the potlatch ban and spoke out against repression of traditional religion. Results and legacy The first person to be charged under the law was a Sto:lo man from Chilliwack, Bill Uslick, who horrified Indian agent Frank Delvin by giving away all his goods, "practically left himself destitute." He was arrested February 1, 1896 and sentenced to two months prison. Upon its release, the amendment to the Indian Act was found to be ineffectual due to a lack of enforcement. There are several recorded arrests in which the native peoples found loopholes in the edict and held potlatches in celebratory seasons, claiming to be doing what was "customary with white people during this season", and celebrating potlatches around holidays such as Christmas. Other groups made formal requests that they be able to host potlatches, but were refused. "The legal suppression of the potlatch became a symbol, in both native and white communities, of the Canadian treatment of British Columbia Indians." The potlatch ban was never entirely effective, though it did significant cultural damage, and continued underground through the period of the ban in a number of places and ways. The potlatch ban and related banning of the sun dance and Coast Salish dancing occurred during the height of repressive colonial laws in Canada, lasting until 1951. After 1951, the Indian Act was amended, removing some of the more repressive measures, including the ban on the potlatch. After the ban was lifted, Nations on the coast began to openly potlatch again. The revival of open ceremony gained strength during the 1970s and 1980s, and it is once again widespread among many of the Nations that previously potlatched prior to the ban. See also Athabaskan potlatch Heiltsuk Indian Act Potlatch Bibliography Notes References - Total pages: 142 - Total pages: 276 - Total pages: 82 External links First Nations history 1885 in Canadian law