A copper is the most valuable thing that a Chief can own.

The copper (shield) is essential to the potlatch ceremony - if a chief does not own a copper, he cannot host a potlatch. Every copper has its own name, history, and value. In older times, coppers were used to settle disputes. A Chief could break a part off his copper and give it to a rival Chief, who would need to break off a part of an equally valuable copper to resolve their conflict. This tradition is no longer practiced.

Owner: Johnny Nulis