Ron Chambers (b. 1943)

Ron Chambers is Wolf clan and a member of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations (CAFN). His parents, Carl and Grace (Dickson) Chambers, were trappers in what is now Kluane National Park. His maternal grandmother, Louise George, was the daughter of Chief Klanott of Dyea, Alaska whose clan controlled the Chilkoot Pass prior to the gold rush. His maternal grandfather was Thomas Dickson a one-time member of the Northwest Mounted Police. His paternal grandmother was Annie Kershaw, daughter of Tutchone chief Kershaw. His paternal grandfather was Harold “Shorty” Chambers who came into the country with Jack Dalton and who built a trading post at Champagne.¹⁾

Ron was sent to the Whitehorse Baptist Indian Mission School when he was six or seven years old. He spent seven years at the mission school before he was sent to high school in Haines, Alaska where he became interested in art. He was one of the founding members of the Chilkat Dancers and worked with the Alaska Indian Arts where he helped to carve two totem poles. He stayed in Haines until about 1965 and then attended the Alberta College of Art in Calgary. When he returned to the Yukon, he worked for the Yukon Native Brotherhood as a cultural coordinator and took many photos of elders. In 1973 he started working for Parks Canada, first in Jasper National Park and later in Kluane National Park. After he retired from Parks, he was an elected member of CAFN and provided guided tours of Kathleen Lake to tourists. Ron is often asked to speak, sing and drum at official events. His carved and painted dancing sticks are in the collection of the President of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and in the Assembly of First Nations collection.²⁾ The National Museum in Ottawa holds some of his carvings. He is a former member of the Canada Council and was a director of special events for the First Arctic Winter Games in Whitehorse.³⁾ Chambers sat on several Boards including Yukon Fish and Wildlife, Yukon Heritage Resources, and Yukon Geographic Place Names. He travels to schools throughout the Yukon to pass on his passion and experiences to Yukon’s youth.⁴⁾

Ron Chambers was presented with a 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Assembly of First Nations, Yukon Region for his outstanding contribution to Yukon First Nations, the Yukon, and beyond.⁵⁾ In March 2021, he was presented with an Assembly of First Nations Wellness Award for promoting the wellbeing of First Nation citizens.⁶⁾ The Sourdough Rendezvous Association named Ron and Marrilee Chambers Mr. and Mrs. Yukon in 2024.⁷⁾