Williams Lake and surrounding communities in the Cariboo Chilcotin are rallying to support to the family of a well-known Indigenous woman who died following an unexpected severe illness.
Anna Kalelest, also known as Anna Bear to many, died Feb. 13 at the age of 44 following a two-and-a-half-week battle with sepsis brought on by an infected kidney stone. She was a very familiar and friendly face in and around the lakecity, and particularly at the hockey arena.
Jen Nickel, a close family friend, has kept the community updated and aware of Kalelest’s condition via social media since she fell ill Jan. 27.
“Anna is the most beautiful soul I know,” Nickel told the Tribune prior to her death. “A diamond in the rough. Behind her boisterous hockey-crazy persona, is a woman who would give you the shirt off her back, I’ve literally seen her do it.”
Throughout her illness the family received an outpouring of support from all corners of the community, including well wishes from Indigenous leaders, the Williams Lake Minor Hockey Association and the Williams Lake Stampeders.
“She was one of our, and hockey’s, biggest fan,” the Stampeders noted on social media following her death.
Williams Lake city councillor Michael Moses also sent his condolences during roundtable discussions at the Feb. 13 city council meeting to Indigenous communities grieving the loss of Kalelest.
“It’s a big loss for our community,” said Moses.
Kalelest previously served as PAC president at Marie Sharpe Elementary School for many years, volunteered countless hours in the scorebox at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex during hockey games and cheered on teams from the stands as well. When she wasn’t at hockey games, she was often watching a local game online.
An advocate for sobriety, Kalelest also attended and drummed at many traditional ceremonies. Most, however, knew her as a dedicated mom to two teenage boys.
Nickel has set up a fundraiser to assist Kalelest’s family with funeral expenses and costs associated with raising Kalelest’s sons, whose father died seven years ago.
In two days the fundraiser has raised $10,595.