Allard grew up in fur trade, and understood the many different aspects of it. While growing up he came in contact with many First Nations and saw his father dealing with them in the fur trade.[1] This experience growing up gave Allard some insight of how to conduct trade with First Nations and would also have provided him with some understanding of their culture. While Allard and his family were residing at Fort Yale Jason became his father’s only assistant, this position left Jason in charge of the post when his father left.[2] Chief Factor McTavish had saw Allard conducting business and was impressed with how well he did.[3] With this interaction McTavish offered Allard an apprenticeship, and he became bound to the Hudson’s Bay Company for three years in 1866.[4] After receiving his apprentice position Allard travelled to Victoria to learn book-keeping.[5] In 1867 Allard became the operator of two of the company’s stores at Wild Horse Creek.[6] Allard was in charge at these two stores for a year, and then he was moved to take over Fort Sheppard.[7] In 1869 Allard came into some trouble with officers, and instead of taking the transfer to Keremeos Allard refused and put in his resignation.[8] Allard had a short experience with the fur trade but learned quickly how to trade with First Nations. Allard described how to deal with First Nations in fur trading, you needed to be careful in dealing with them and ensure that you only had one price listed for an article.[9] You also had to never let a First Nations trader believe that you were afraid of them.[10] This description Allard provided in dealing with First Nations traders show his experience in the fur trade, and how he came to understand First Nations.

Newspaper article from 1 June, 1929.
From MSS 155: Jason Ovid Allard Fonds, Langley Centennial Museum and Archives.

[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.

[6]MSS 155, Langley Centennial Museum and Archives.

[7] MSS 155, Langley Centennial Museum and Archives.

[8] MSS 255, Langley Centennial Museum and Archives.

[9] MSS 155, Langley Centennial Museum and Archives.

[10] MSS 155, Langley Centennial Museum and Archives.