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Fontas is located on the Fontas River, 86 miles up the Sikanni River. At one time many families lived in this beautiful area, only going down to the Old Fort to trade furs and get supplies.
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Photograph provided by Eva Needlay
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Photograph provided by Eva Needlay |
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Today only one family remains. The Needlay family still follow the traditional way of life.
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The Needlay family pictured here was the family that stayed at Fontas when everyone moved to the Old Fort and other places.
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Photograph provided by Eva Needlay
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Photograph provided by Eva Needlay |
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Today Jackie Needlay's family (the oldest son of Eddy) is the only family remaining at Fontas.
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Long ago the First Nations People from Fontas and Kanta would travel by dog team, horse pack, canoe and riverboat to and from Fort Nelson.
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Photograph provided by Eva Needlay
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Photograph provided by Eva Needlay |
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Today people travel by air plane, helicopter, riverboat, skidoo, train and even use a winter road.
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A new house was built beside the old cabin. Notice the meat rack in front of the house.
Can you see the old wagon in front of the cabin?
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Photograph provided by Eva Needlay
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Photograph provided by Eva Needlay |
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This is a picture of a log cabin being built by Eddy J. Needlay, the traditional way in the 60’s.
The new home is very different than the old cabin.
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One of the Needlay girls visiting her grandfather at Fontas is seen picking rosehip berries. Bears may be close by so you need to be careful. Mom or Dad are close by if the gun needs to be used.
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Photograph provided by Eva Needlay
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Photograph provided by Eva Needlay |
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Long ago all the people built their own riverboats. Some still do today.
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The Needlay family are camped here at Fontas. Fish fillets are being smoked and dried along sided some dry meat.
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Photograph provided by Eva Needlay
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Photograph provided by Eva Needlay |
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During a building project at Fontas a crew makes camp. Notice the more modern tents and kitchen area
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The Needlays grow a beautiful garden at Fontas along the riverbank.
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Photograph provided by Eva Needlay
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Photograph provided by Eva Needlay |
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At the Old Fort and Snake River the first Nations people were able to grow their own vegetable gardens.
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Raymond Needlay (20 years old) is seen here in this photograph checking his beaver snares out near Fontas.
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Photograph provided by Edward Needlay
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Photograph provided by Edward Needlay |
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He has snared one beaver which will be brought home for his mom to clean and prepare the beaver pelt.
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The sun sets over Fontas as the Needlay family arrives home from a time on the river.
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Photograph provided by Eva Needlay
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