How did Northwest Coast Indian house groups share fishing and hunting rights?

Northwest Coast Indian societies were organized into corporate "house groups"—units of several dozen to over 100 related people who lived together and held common title to important resources. These groups did not share resources indiscriminately; rather, they maintained exclusive rights to specific territories and sites for fishing, berry picking, hunting, and habitation.123

The administration of these resources was managed by a high-ranking leader, or "chief," who held the title to the group's properties. This leader determined the timing of key economic activities, such as when to move to fishing stations, when to construct weirs and traps, and when to initiate the first catch of the season.1

While the property was held in common by the house group, the chief acted as the administrator, ensuring the group's general welfare and prestige. Because these groups were autonomous, they did not share these rights with other houses; instead, they operated as independent economic units. Cooperation was essential within the house, as the chief relied on the labor of group members to build structures, construct fishing equipment, and manage the harvest.14