The practice known as the potlatch is central to the ceremonial, social, economic, legal and political lives of First Nations communities. There are many forms of potlatches; they mark the stages of a person’s life, and individuals advance their status through potlatching. Potlatches involve feasts, speeches, traditional songs and dances, and the giving away of valuable goods. Guests act as witnesses to the formal transfers of rights and responsibilities that take place during a potlatch. The Canadian government outlawed the potlatch in 1884. This ban was not dropped from the Indian Act until 1951. Despite the prohibition, many First Nations people continued this essential tradition. As these images show, potlatches were held openly on the Old Songhees Reserve, right across the harbour from the provincial government buildings in Victoria.