Northwest Coast chiefs held the highest position in society.
Explanation:
I am not an expert, but I know Plateau tribes had chiefs based on ability.
This should help too!
This was an answer from a quizlet set:
term: cheif
definition: Leaders in American Indian communities. The role differs between Plateau and Coastal Indians. Coastal Indians it is an inherited position and have more authority. With Plateau Indians it is an elected position earned through merit. There are multiple some at village level, band level and tribal level
The Plateau Indians chose their chiefs by their ability in battle and leadership. In the Coastal Indians society their was only one chief per village while in the Plateau Indians society their were more than one chiefs with different levels of superiority.
