Historical Timeline

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Our community’s history reaches back thousands of years prior to the events in the historical timeline below. The timeline below reflects post-contact and some moments in history during the settler and colonialization eras. The Cultural Heritage and Language department intends to create a more comprehensive timeline that recognizes our history centers and evolves through our wise and long time ago stories. These stories will be bridged with archaeological records. In the future, this page will contain a story timeline which will respectfully honor the true origins of our identity.

1700 1781 1794 1805 1823 1858 1859 1867 1876 1885 1898 1899 •

EARLY 1700’s Firearms Introduced

1700

The Tsááʔ çhé ne dane begin feeling the effects of colonization even before making direct contact with Europeans. In the east, the Cree begin trading… Read More

EARLY 1700’s Firearms Introduced

The Tsááʔ çhé ne dane begin feeling the effects of colonization even before making direct contact with Europeans. In the east, the Cree begin trading with Europeans, acquire firearms and begin making incursions into western territories. As historian Harold Innis summarizes, the Cree would “cross over by the Saskatchewan [River] to Lesser Slave Lake and the Peace River Trail to war on the Beavers and the Indians along the Peace”. Without firearms they are outmatched and pushed westward.

LATE 1700’s Smallpox, peace & trade

1781

1781 A smallpox epidemic spreads across the northern plains. 1782 The Cree and the Beaver smoke a pipe on the banks of a… Read More

LATE 1700’s Smallpox, peace & trade

1781

A smallpox epidemic spreads across the northern plains.

1782

The Cree and the Beaver smoke a pipe on the banks of a river, thereby ending hostilities between them. Since then, the river has been known as Unjigawah, or the Peace.

1784

Conflict between the Tsááʔ çhé ne dane and Cree continues and culminates in a major battle along the Saaghii Naachii (Beaver River). The Tsááʔ çhé ne dane defeat the Cree decisively and force a “peace agreement” with them at Unchaga (Peace Point) on the Saaghii Naachii. From this point forward the Saaghii Naachii becomes known as WQchiigii (Peace River).

1786

The Northwest Company establishes the first trading post in Dane-zaa territory on the Peace River near Fort Vermilion and Dane-zaa trappers become active in the fur trade. The Dane-zaa economy begins to shift “from a communal hunt for subsistence to one geared towards providing goods to the fur traders”.

1794 Rocky Mountain Fort

1794

The Northwest Company establishes Rocky Mountain Fort where the Moberly River enters the Peace River. Dane-zaa trappers provide this trading post with furs… Read More

1794 Rocky Mountain Fort

The Northwest Company establishes Rocky Mountain Fort where the Moberly River enters the Peace River. Dane-zaa trappers provide this trading post with furs as well as meat and grease from the abundant bison herds in the surrounding area.

EARLY 1800’s Bison impacted & Fort St. John established

1805

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… Read More

EARLY 1800’s Bison impacted & Fort St. John established

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.

1823-1838 Conflict, population declines & newcomers

1823

1823 Fort St. John is closed following an armed conflict with local First Nations. 1828 HBC post journals from Dunvegan begin reporting a… Read More

1823-1838 Conflict, population declines & newcomers

1823

Fort St. John is closed following an armed conflict with local First Nations.

1828

HBC post journals from Dunvegan begin reporting a decline in population among the Dane-zaa of the Peace River due to sickness and death, a trend that continues into the next decade.

1838

Census records indicate that Iroquois, Salteaux, Cree and Metis hunters begin moving with their families from the plains to the Peace River despite protests from the Dane-zaa. The newcomers bring smallpox to the area.

1858 Old Fort established

1858

After a nearly 40-year lapse, the Hudson’s Bay Company reopens Fort St. John on the south side of the Peace River. In 1873, Fort St. Read More

1858 Old Fort established

After a nearly 40-year lapse, the Hudson’s Bay Company reopens Fort St. John on the south side of the Peace River. In 1873, Fort St. John is moved directly across the Peace River to the north side – onto what is today referred to as the ’Old Fort’ subdivision outside today’s City of Fort St. John.

1859-1862 Catholicism, gold & smallpox

1859

1859 The first Catholic priest visits the Peace River region and begins converting Dane-zaa to Christianity. 1861 Gold is discovered in… Read More

1859-1862 Catholicism, gold & smallpox

1859

The first Catholic priest visits the Peace River region and begins converting Dane-zaa to Christianity.

1861

Gold is discovered in the Peace River region.

1862

A major smallpox epidemic, which began in Victoria, spreads inland and significantly reduces aboriginal populations.

1867 Dominion of Canada

1867

The Dominion of Canada is created. Read More

1867 Dominion of Canada

The Dominion of Canada is created.

1871-1872 Mining & agriculture potential

George Simpson, governor of the Hudson’s Bay Company, proclaims the Peace River region has huge potential for mining and agriculture. Read More

1871-1872 Mining & agriculture potential

George Simpson, governor of the Hudson’s Bay Company, proclaims the Peace River region has huge potential for mining and agriculture.

1876 Indian Act introduced

1876

Many Canadian laws affecting Aboriginal Peoples were combined to become the Indian Act. According to John A. McDonald (Canada’s First Prime Minister), the great aim… Read More

1876 Indian Act introduced

Many Canadian laws affecting Aboriginal Peoples were combined to become the Indian Act. According to John A. McDonald (Canada’s First Prime Minister), the great aim of the legislation was “to do away with the tribal system and assimilate the Indian people in all respects with the other inhabitants of the Dominion as speedily as they are fit to change.” While the Indian Act has undergone numerous amendments since it was first passed in 1876, today it largely retains its original form.

1885-1886 Prohibitions & scarlet fever

1885

1885 The Indian Act is revised to prohibit cultural ceremonies including potlaches, tea dances and pow wows. This provision remains in place for close to… Read More

1885-1886 Prohibitions & scarlet fever

1885

The Indian Act is revised to prohibit cultural ceremonies including potlaches, tea dances and pow wows. This provision remains in place for close to 75 years.

1886

Bishop Faraud (a missionary in Fort St. John) reports on an epidemic of scarlet fever that reduces the Dane-zaa population.

1898 Klondike & Treaty of Peace

1898

Dane-zaa oppose gold miners heading north to the Klondike until the Crown agrees to a Treaty of Peace. Read More

1898 Klondike & Treaty of Peace

Dane-zaa oppose gold miners heading north to the Klondike until the Crown agrees to a Treaty of Peace.

1899-1900 Treaty No. 8

1899

1899 The Crown and leaders representing many First Nations sign Treaty No. 8 at Lesser Slave Lake. Treaty Commissioners arrive in Fort St. John… Read More

1899-1900 Treaty No. 8

1899

The Crown and leaders representing many First Nations sign Treaty No. 8 at Lesser Slave Lake. Treaty Commissioners arrive in Fort St. John after the Dane-zaa have dispersed to summer hunting grounds.

1900

The Treaty Commissioner returns to Fort St. John and some leaders of the Fort St. John Beaver Band, ancestors to the Doig River and Blueberry River First Nations, sign Treaty No. 8 – including Muckithay, Dislisici, Tachea, Appan and Attachie.

Historical Timeline

EARLY 1700’s Firearms Introduced

EARLY 1700’s Firearms Introduced

LATE 1700’s Smallpox, peace & trade

LATE 1700’s Smallpox, peace & trade

1794 Rocky Mountain Fort

1794 Rocky Mountain Fort

EARLY 1800’s Bison impacted & Fort St. John established

EARLY 1800’s Bison impacted & Fort St. John established

1823-1838 Conflict, population declines & newcomers

1823-1838 Conflict, population declines & newcomers

1858 Old Fort established

1858 Old Fort established

1859-1862 Catholicism, gold & smallpox

1859-1862 Catholicism, gold & smallpox

1867 Dominion of Canada

1867 Dominion of Canada

1871-1872 Mining & agriculture potential

1871-1872 Mining & agriculture potential

1876 Indian Act introduced

1876 Indian Act introduced

1885-1886 Prohibitions & scarlet fever

1885-1886 Prohibitions & scarlet fever

1898 Klondike & Treaty of Peace

1898 Klondike & Treaty of Peace

1899-1900 Treaty No. 8

1899-1900 Treaty No. 8

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