Why was the potlatch banned?

Answer 1

Potlatch was banned because an intolerant federal government banned the potlatch from 1884 to 1851, ostensibly because of native treatment of property and Christian persecution of native religions.

Answer 2

Potlatching became illegal in 1885 and the ban was not lifted until 1951 (Cole and Chaikin 1990). Attempts at such suppression were not new. Missionaries and federal officials have been trying to outlaw the practice since arriving in British Columbia.