What was the social structure of the Chinook tribe?

The Chinook tribe had a hierarchical social structure characterized by a division among different classes. At the top were the chiefs and nobles, who held significant power and wealth, often controlling trade and resources. Below them were commoners, who were generally fishermen, hunters, and gatherers, and at the bottom were slaves, often captured in warfare or indebted individuals. This structure was reinforced by cultural practices and kinship ties, influencing their political and economic interactions.