Potlatch Fund Logo Meaning

The outer circle symbolizes the circle of life, which is regarded as sacred by many native cultures. It is believed that the power of the world works in circles. The seasons, the earth, the sun, the stars, and life itself, from birth to birth, is a circle that comes back around. The brown circular band represents the cedar tree. The strong cedar tree and its bark provided longhouses for living quarters, cedar canoes for transportation, cedar hats and skirts for clothing, and baskets for gathering and for trade. It was central to the very existence of many tribes in the northwest.

The lighter brown within the inner circle represents mother earth. Mother earth provides us with everything to survive. If we take care of her, she takes care of us.

The copper-shaped emblem within the circle symbolizes the copper that was given in potlatches. The highly valued copper was the most important symbol of wealth, power, status, and prestige for northwest coastal tribes. The copper was a shield-shaped object made of beaten copper, and sometimes engraved with symbols.

The four colors of the copper within the Potlatch Fund logo represent people from all nationalities. The colors represent partnerships among nonprofits, tribes, corporate giving programs, individual donors, native nonprofit organizations, and grassroots native communities. The overall copper shield represents Potlatch Fund as a bridge for wealth and giving between the philanthropic world and native/tribal communities. The copper is a sign of significant wealth.