Final answer:
Aquatic foragers of the Northwest Coast, like the Tlingit and Haida, had permanent settlements enabled by abundant resources like salmon. Their social structures were complex and included intricate political organizations and a system of hierarchy reinforced by the potlatch tradition.
Step-by-step explanation:
The aquatic foragers of the Northwest Coast of North America, such as the Tlingit and Haida, were known for their intricate societies and reliance on the rich natural marine resources of the region. One of the true statements about these societies is that settlements were usually permanent rather than seasonal. This permanence was due to the high 'carrying capacity' of the land, supported by resources like salmon, which allowed these groups to live in large, permanent towns, especially in the winter. These towns were integral to their complex political structures and social stratification, which included practices such as the potlatch to maintain and reinforce the hierarchical system.
The notion that these societies had very little leisure time due to unproductive fishing is incorrect, as resources were abundant and they developed efficient means of harvesting these resources. As for the idea that the societies no longer make a living from fishing, it is not entirely true as many of these communities continue to fish, although their ways of life have inevitably been influenced by historical changes and interaction with Europeans.