The Alaskan terrain of the Tlingit is rugged; rain and snow being quite common. But the sealife and animal life are rich. Animals are considered to have souls the same as humans, so hunting and fishing are also spiritual activities. Respect has to be paid through ceremony to the creatures killed for food. The Tlingit pursued different cycles depending on the availability of local resources, separating in small village groups or family groups. These groups would come together again in the winter for potlatch ceremonies. While the economic cycle has been altered, the importance of the potlatch has been sustained.
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