Mariah Rose Arkinson, Ōkikmahw Kihēw Iskwēw (Chief Eagle Woman) of the Chippewa Cree Tribe was born October 31, 2003, and passed away at age 22 on August 30, 2026. She was athletic, brave, friendly, outgoing, competitive, and funny. Mariah always tried to make people laugh and feel welcome. She was a dedicated basketball player, often practicing with the boys at the Smallsville court to sharpen her skills. Mariah played varsity basketball for both Rocky Boy High School and Box Elder High School, helping the Lady Bears place second in the 2022 Class C State Championship. Mariah was an adoring and loving mother, frequently saying how proud she was of her smart son. They had fun hanging out at the park, enjoying each other’s company. Mariah loved hunting, fishing, gaming, camping, hiking, swimming, traveling, learning, makeup and eyelashes, and spending time with friends. She enjoyed working for the Tribal Historic Preservation Office, protecting the Tribe’s cultural resources.

Deshon, Mariah’s soulmate, remembers: “Our greatest, beautifullest memory we have together is falling in love and creating life from that pure love. I will never forget that day how beautiful and happy you were when we seen our son. You were shining with pure angelic beauty. You were so happy, admiring, and proud to be a mom. Most importantly, we were starting a new chapter in this life...”

A beloved daughter, sister, mother, soulmate, relative, and friend, Mariah is preceded in death by grandparents, Leroy Windy Boy, Sr., Charles and Ruby Gopher.

Mariah is survived by her son, Kaiyus Shambo; soulmate, Deshon Shambo; her mother, Olivia Gopher; her father, Randon Arkinson; her siblings, Kendall Murie (Ashleigh), Rayelle Arkinson, Shuree Arkinson (Sal), Randon Arkinson, and Kierane Arkinson; grandparents, Earl Arkinson, Josephine Gopher, and Cecelia Bowman; aunties, Josephine Arkinson, Antoinette Arkinson (Alonzo), Violet Arkinson, Florence Standing Rock, Lorena Windy Boy (Darrin), Ona Gopher, and Leah Lamere (Pete); uncles, Leroy Windy Boy, Jr. (Kim), Cornelieus Arkinson, Morgan Standing Rock, Jonathan Gopher, Brandon Tso, Delilah Tso, Wilkey Tso, Jr, Davin Bowman, Dominica Nakia, and Rex Nakia.

The wake will be held at the Help Lodge from September 1-2, and the Journey Feast and funeral on September 3rd. Mariah will be buried at the Rocky Boy Cemetery.