Abstract

Tsimshian local groups of the late 18th and 19th centuries owned resource territories and were ranked relative to each other in terms of social preference. This paper explores factors underlying local group rank. We find low, and even negative, correlations among local group rank, population size, and resource abundance, measured in terms of salmon escapement. During the period in question, local group rank was dynamic and mutable, while local group territories and resource abundance were largely static. Evidence indicates that warfare and trade explain the structure of Tsimshian local group rank rather than resource abundance and population.