How did Northwest Coast chiefs differ from Plateau chiefs?

Northwest Coast chiefs and Plateau chiefs differed in several ways, particularly regarding their social roles, governance structures, and the context of their authority.

1. **Governance Structure**: Northwest Coast chiefs were often hereditary leaders, establishing their authority through lineage and control of resources, particularly wealth and trade goods. In contrast, Plateau chiefs might be elected or recognized based on different criteria, such as consensus and respected ability in leadership or ceremony.

2. **Authority and Social Position**: In many Northwest Coast cultures, chiefs held a prominent position in society and were pivotal in the distribution of wealth and resources. They encompassed roles as both political leaders and spiritual figures. Plateau chiefs, on the other hand, had a different social organization; their authority could vary significantly between groups and was sometimes more communal or egalitarian.

3. **Wealth Control**: Northwest Coast chiefs were known for their ability to amass and redistribute wealth, often demonstrated in potlatch ceremonies. This control over wealth reinforced their status. Plateau societies often operated on a different scale and did not emphasize wealth in the same tangible ways as Northwest Coast cultures.

In summary, while Northwest Coast chiefs had a more defined and hereditary role with significant control over wealth, Plateau chiefs often emerged from community consensus and had varying roles depending on the context of their societies.