1805
Intensive use of the area’s resources encouraged by the Northwest Company proves unsustainable and Rocky Mountain Fort closes due to declines in both furbearers and bison. The bison, a main staple for the Dane-zaa in the area, are particularly affected and their numbers are brought to near extinction.
1806
Despite the “generally failing resources in the area”, Fort d’Epinette, also called St. John, is established by the Northwest Company. The name is changed to Fort St. John when the Hudson’s Bay Company merges with the Northwest Company in 1821 and takes over management of the fort.
