What I learned about this in Alaska is that the Potlatch was more about the redistribution and sharing of wealth. Our Tlingit guide told us that those invited to a potlatch we expected to reciprocate in the next 3-5 years. I has missed this string earlier today when I put my other post up. a potlatch would be marked by a ring on the family's totem pole. the more rings the wealthier the family. You can check my photos on photobucket.com and search kahrnh to view the albums.