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DEVOTED TO THE ENVIRONMENT – Kimberly Chambers (above) always encouraged hunting to be done in a way that studiously protected the environment. Family members and friends will attend her funeral tomorrow. Photo courtesy CHAMBERS FAMILY

‘She was impressive and incredibly strong’

Kimberly Chambers was a force.

By Amy Kenny on August 19, 2016

Kimberly Chambers was a force.

She brought out the toughness in people, says her sister, Jennifer.

She brought out the cowboy in them.

On a recent moose hunt, for example, she wouldn’t let her boyfriend pack a sleeping bag, insisting instead that they use a tarp at night.

It was during this hunt, near Squirrel Creek, that Kimberly, 28, fell from a horse over the Discovery Day weekend.

She succumbed to her injuries, including head trauma, on Monday.

Her funeral will take place in Champagne on Saturday.

Kimberly, who was born in Haines, Alaska, moved to the area in 2009 to help care for her great grandmother, Sue Van Bibber – the same woman Jennifer credits with instilling in Kimberly a love of traditional hunting.

When Kimberly and Jennifer were kids, Van Bibber would take them (as part of a group of 17 grandkids) out on moose hunts. They rode horses and slept under spruce trees, wrapped in horse blankets.

Jennifer says Kimberly instinctively took to it.

“It was such a natural fit for her,” says Jennifer. “It was so naturally her life. It was so easy for her.”

As Kimberly became older, she learned to trap from her great grandfather, Alex Van Bibber, an avid outdoorsman the National Post once called “probably the toughest man in Canada.”

“They really were two peas in a pod,” says Jennifer of the pair.

Kimberly had great respect for the rules of hunting.

She cherished the Yukon, and the land, and wanted to see things done right.

She encouraged hunting to be done in a way that protected the environment.

Everything about her lifestyle bore that out, says Jennifer.

She worked as a firefighter.

An accomplished outdoorswoman who felt strongly about the land, she was hired to co-manage fish and wildlife for the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations.

At 21, she started training feral horses, and made a point to be out in the mountains with her horses, sometimes wrangling for five weeks straight.

She always chose to ride horseback on a hunt because she didn’t like ATVs ripping up the bush, destroying trails.

“There is story after story of how hard-working she was, and how all the other men would be tired during a hunt or out on the fire, and she was still pushing at it. That’s the kind of woman she was,” says Jennifer.

“She was impressive and incredibly strong.”

Impressive is a word Jennifer uses more than once to describe her sister, though she’s quick to point out it’s not one Kimberly ever would have used to describe herself.

She believed in herself, but she never bragged about herself. That wasn’t part of who she was.

Who she was was honest, open, and spontaneous. She made everyone feel good when she was around, says Jennifer. She walked into a room, and she brought the sun.

Kimberly’s funeral will take place at the Champagne Community Hall at 2 p.m. tomorrow.

There will also be a memorial at 4 p.m. in Haines, Alaska, next Tuesday at the American Legion.

By Amy Kenny Star Reporter

Comments (9)

Up 16 Down 0

Inez Larsen on Aug 20, 2016 at 3:52 pm

So sad to lose such a wonderful young woman. Condolances and prayers for her family.

Up 12 Down 1

Kathy Holmes on Aug 20, 2016 at 2:55 pm

Kim was one of the nicest people you could ever meet. She always had a smile ready for you. My thoughts and prayers are with all of Kim's family and friends. She will be missed.

Up 14 Down 2

Lea Harris on Aug 20, 2016 at 1:56 pm

This is so sad. She was such a positive and inspirational young lady. My condolences to her family. My thoughts and prayers are with them.

Up 15 Down 1

Lisa Rostron on Aug 20, 2016 at 8:01 am

My sincerest condolences to your family. My love and prayers for all of you.

Up 13 Down 2

Linda Geise on Aug 19, 2016 at 9:27 pm

My heart is hugging each of you, her loss is a big empty feeling. She walked in large shoes, hard to fill. May the higher spirit know her as angel, on duty, she was a blessing, we in Haines, shall remember a beautiful young woman, kind soul, and gentle spirit. Bless her families, friends, and communities.

Up 14 Down 1

Nelle on Aug 19, 2016 at 5:23 pm

Such a bright star taken too soon. Our hearts and condolences go to her family.

-- Nelle & Larry Jurgeleit, Haines.

Up 12 Down 1

Rebecca Koenig on Aug 19, 2016 at 5:02 pm

To All of Kimberly Family, I am so deeply saddened at Kim's passing. I remember when she first enrolled in the Haines Elementary School. What a bright and attentive little girl. She had spark. I enjoyed the times I visited with her while she was attending school. She stopped by the office many times to just say Hi, Mrs. Koenig. She will be missed. My prayers are with you all. Mrs. K.

Up 12 Down 1

Brian Manning on Aug 19, 2016 at 4:58 pm

Kim was a great person in school, she was one who made you laugh. She was always willing to help others when they needed it. She will be missed.

Up 71 Down 6

condolences on Aug 19, 2016 at 3:42 pm

Condolences to the family, so sad to see such a young person leave the earth so soon, but seems she left doing what she loves.
My thoughts and prayers to her family.

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