Newspaper article from 1 May, 1929.
From MSS 155: Jason Ovid Allard Fonds, Langley Centennial Museum and Archives.
Jason Ovid Allard’s actions reveal a lot of information about how he identified. When asked his nationality, he came to the conclusion that he did not know how to identify himself.[1] This internal struggle with self-identity and not identifying as First Nations shows the unique influence of fur trade, and how traders of mixed ancestry recognized themselves during this time period. Allard grew up in a fur trading society, having influences from both his French Canadian father and his Quw’utsun (Cowichan) mother.[2] Allard was a unique individual as he experienced many different events through his lifetime, which all influenced his identity. On November 18, 1858 when Allard was ten years old, the Crown Colony of British Columbia was brought into existence.[3] The establishment of some form of government came after the large amount of people entering into the area for the gold rush.[4] This resulted in changes for the leadership of the Hudson’s Bay Company as Douglas stepped down as Chief Factor to take on the role as Governor of British Columbia.[5] Changes in the population make up, economic activities, and politics were all seen during Allard’s lifetime. As a result Allard can be seen as a representation of this era which underwent many changes, all which influenced the creation of British Columbia’s Fraser Valley.
[1] MSS 155: Jason Ovid Allard Scrapbook at Langley Centennial Museum and Archives.
[2] MSS 155, Langley Centennial Museum and Archives.
[3] MSS 155, Langley Centennial Museum and Archives.
[4]MSS 155, Langley Centennial Museum and Archives.
[5]MSS 155, Langley Centennial Museum and Archives.