Delma Fields

1951 - 2026

Delma Fields was born on May 31, 1951, to the late Chief Stanley Jonas and Madeline (Peter) Jonas. On Jan. 26, 2026, Delma passed peacefully in her sleep, surrounded by family.

Delma was born and lived in Fort Yukon. Delma's family moved from Fort Yukon to Canyon Village in 1962. A few of her fondest memories were loading up the boat with the whole family and taking many trips to Fort Yukon. Delma moved back to Fort Yukon permanently when she met Brewster Fields Sr.

Delma Fields married her lifelong partner on Nov. 30, 1971, and remained by his side until they were separated by heaven. Brewster and Delma were strong family supporters and raised their family in a subsistence lifestyle.

Delma Fields love for family was present in everything she did, she always placing their needs before her own and going to considerable lengths to support each of them. She advocated for the preservation of ancestral lands, and her love for Canyon Village was apparent in the stories she shared, which often focused on hunting and fishing. Her experience of living off land provided her with valuable insights into the significance of our way of life, and she was dedicated to sharing these values with others through years of teaching. After her father, Chief Stanley Jonas, passed away. Delma took the role as chief for Canyon Village and served her people for many years.

Delma was the boss in the Fields neighborhood. Brewster's house was in the center of activities, always crowded in front, a place where traffic went right by. The best show was when her late brother was driving by without his wife, but she came running out of trail right by their house, running so fast she caught up and hopped on the tailgate. Delma was hollering, 'Run faster!' She laughed so much she was tearing up. It was the best place to visit for laughter! There were so many stories.

Delma survives by her daughter and son-in-law, Connie and John; grandchildren, Franklin, Donavon, Danielle, Thomas, Araya and Brewster III (Arlene); great-grandchildren, Alexis, Jayden, Charlie, Eliza and Sage; sisters: Rose, Mary, Ida, Becky and Ethel; brothers, Sonny and Grafton; aunties, Mary Fields, Freda Joseph, and Annie (Nick) Virgilio; along with many nieces and nephews.

Delma is preceded in death by her parents, Chief Stanley Jonas and Madeline (Peter) Jonas; husband, Brewster Fields Sr.; son, Brewster Fields Jr.; brothers, Clifton Jonas and Franklin Jonas; sisters, Doris Biddle, Laura Jonas and Jesse Panamaroff; and many others who followed before her.