Final answer:
Potlatches were a socio-political ceremony held in the Pacific Northwest where participants exchanged gifts to show their families' status. Wealth was determined by how much individuals shared and gave away, and a successful potlatch could confer greater status on a person or a family.
Step-by-step explanation:
A potlatch is a socio-political ceremony that was held in the Pacific Northwest. The statement that is true about potlatches is C. Participants exchanged gifts to show their families' status.
During potlatches, hosts would give an abundance of gifts to demonstrate their wealth and power. These gifts could include blankets, animal skins, copper plaques, and preserved food. The goal was to challenge the guest chief to counter with an even more lavish feast and greater trove of gifts, thus reinforcing power among neighboring communities.
It's important to note that wealth in the Pacific Northwest was determined by how much individuals shared and gave away, not how much wealth they possessed. The act of giving and distributing goods was a way of conferring status and establishing a person or family's rank in society.