The most important symbol of wealth, power, status, and prestige is the
Copper, a shield-shape object made of beaten copper, sometime engraved
with symbols.

A Copper has a rectangular base segmented by a ridged "T" line; the non-
segmented top portion of the shield flares beyond the width of this base.
No matter what the material, an artifact or motif with this particular shield
shape is referred to as a Copper. Jewelers today, for example, create
Coppers made of silver and gold.

Coppers are rare and coveted, valuable far beyond the cost of materials
and labor. Chiefs once purchased sought-after Coppers for many
thousands of blankets each.

The wealthiest of chiefs, to asset his superiority, might cut off a piece of a
Copper and give it to an honored guest or rival at a potlatch. A Copper
broken in this manner did not lose value: on contrary, such a display
increased a Copper's worth. A chief might even throw a Copper into the sea
or into the fire as the ultimate sign of superior wealth and a challenge to
rivals to match or exceed the gesture.

The color of copper symbolizes wealth. Coppers themselves may symbolize
light, salmon, resurrection, sky, sea or the undersea world. The distinctive
shield-shaped Copper is frequently incorporated as a symbol on poles
(particularly among the Kwakwaka'wakw) and on objects of all kinds.

Coppers are sometimes nailed to totem poles, to remind outsiders of the status
and strength of a chief, house or village.

A Kwakwaka'waka chief who distributes pieces of a Copper adopts the persona
of Dzunuk'wa, in that being's male warrior aspect, by wearing a mask called
Geekumhl (meaning "chief mask"). Outside of this context, Dzunuk'wa
represents wealth generally, and is often associated with Coppers.

After his death, a Tsimshian chief was customarily honored by the breaking
of a Copper by his people, who identified the pieces as the metaphoric bones
of the deceased, and distributed these among his fellow chiefs.