Final answer:
A rich and powerful person in the Kwakwaka'wakw society is determined by participation in Potlatch ceremonies, where they give away wealth to demonstrate prosperity and social status.
Step-by-step explanation:
For the Kwakwaka'wakw peoples, who speak Kwak'wala, a rich and powerful person is not defined by the accumulation of material wealth but rather by their participation in the culturally significant Potlatch ceremonies. Potlatches are socio-political events where status and power are demonstrated through generosity and the distribution of wealth rather than its accumulation. The host of a potlatch would give away wealth in the form of gifts or even by destroying valuable items to show their prosperity and elevate their social standing. This act of giving aids in maintaining and increasing status within the community and affirming social relationships.