Nateya Shalisa Dowd, a cherished daughter, sister, was born July 12, 2009 in Arcata to parents Chelsey Readen Dowd and awok Omar “baby o” Dean the 4th. She crossed over and got her wings on January 4, 2026, at the age of 16. Though her battle with complications from Leukemia was so sudden and brief, she transitioned surrounded by an immense circle of love — both in person and from afar — as the healing notes of family songs guided her home.

A Life of Brilliance and Light

Raised in the beauty of Trinidad, Nateya was a standout from the start. She attended Trinidad Elementary, where her dedication to her studies led her to graduate as the Valedictorian of her class. Her journey continued at McKinleyville High School, where she was currently a junior. A driven student, Nateya challenged herself with a rigorous schedule of AP courses, fueled by her dream of becoming an Ultrasound Technician.

Beyond the classroom, Nateya was a vibrant force. She grew up on the softball fields, playing travel ball alongside her sister, Sueveya where she continued her softball career for MHS. She played 3 seasons of Volleyball and Basketball and was always the most inspirational to any team she was a part of. At school, she was an active and proud member of the Native American Club, remaining deeply rooted in her heritage and participating in ceremonies with grace and devotion.

A Presence That Healed

Nateya’s friends often described her as “the light in the room.” With a “pure heart” and a constant smile, she had a rare gift for showing up exactly where she was needed. Her presence made everyone feel welcomed and seen. Whether she was on the field, in the classroom, or in the community, she walked with a kindness that felt like a blessing to those around her.

She is proceeded in death by her father Awok Omar “Baby O” Dean the 4th, Her brother Awok Running Bear Dean, Grandparents Awok Omar Dean 3rd&Kathy Dean, Great Grandparents Awok Betty and Emery Readen, Awok Lena Reed McCovey, Awok Clifford Jones&Adeline McCovey Jones, Awok Frank and Venola Dowd, Awok Alfred and Mable Colegrove, Awok Anita and Frank Murdock, Awok Lola and Robert McGahuey, Awok Alfreda Dean Pratt&Alex Pratt, Awok Omar Dean Jr, Great Uncles Awok Davy Dowd, Rick Dowd, Frank “Roddy” Dowd, Awok uncle Terrence Davis, Kela Dowd, Gerald Dowd, Jesse Dowd, Tara Gordon,

Survived by her Mother Chelsey, her siblings Sueveya, Morningstar, Adeline, Summer, Johnnie, Na-res, Omar “brother” Dean the 5th, Lorece. Great grandparents Sue and Matthew Painter, Barbara Jones

Grandparents, Rhonda Dowd, Robinn McNertney, Darla and Emil Marshall, Greg Readen

Great Aunties: Kathy Dowd, Rhonda(Tim), Konni Readen, Debbie McConnell(Bob), Gigi, Bambi McNertney(Rhonda),

Aunts: Moonchay Dowd (Timber), Jamaica Bartz (Jarrod), Bambi Moon(Matt), Lacey Readen (Fernando), Shelby Readen(Chris), Clarissa Readen, Tasha Boatsman (James), Setiva, Suntalena, Stacey Jewel, Liliana Adams(Jose), Bridget Maloney, Holly Moon

Great Uncles: Gary Dowd, Pride Painter, Michael McNertney, Jack McNertney, Uncles: Rick Dowd (Jessica), Donavan Baltzley, Greg Readen (Maria), Lonnie Dean (Tashina), Alkenny Dean (Ashley) Matt Cat Swanson (Sahsep), Joe Marshall (Nelia), Jude Marshall (Windi), Marcus Rowe Dean, Bradley hostler,

Plus so so many other family friends and cousins. We are very sorry if we forgot anyone. I promise you it was not personal we are just so beside ourselves in our bereavement and it was not intentional.

Special thanks to Kayla Maulson for all her help in getting things organized and for the support that she gave Nateya. A very special thank you to Stacey Jewel and her family. Michael (shaya) Hailey, Cole and Ashton for loving Nateya and Sueveya so much and for everything that they do for the girls and also for welcoming them into their home. To Pimm and Alme Allen for all their love and support they have shown Neteya, To Jude and Windi Marshall and their children Hazel, Yaamach, Xavish Marshall for opening their hearts and their home to Nateya and for making her part of their family. To Rhonda “Am” Dowd for always loving Nateya unconditionally and for doing whatever she could to help her whenever she needed it, to Auntie Moonchay and Timber for opening their home to family and working hard to get things completed for Nateya’s send off.

To uncle Rick Dowd for his solid and consistent support and love to Chelsey and the girls. To Loreta and Willbear Jade and Vaskak for all their love and support. To Angie and Indian Ed for loving our girl. To Jeny Giraurd and Trinidad elementary school teachers. Thankful for Myah, Farah, Kalynn, Nikki, Darla Marshall,and everyone else who helped in these past few grieving days your support means so much more than I can put into words.

And a very special thanks to Nancy Steele for her contributions and to each and every one of you. Family, friends, and community members that have offered love and support in so many ways.

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Today we are here to honor and remember Nateya, someone who meant so much to our family, and whose absence leaves a space that can never truly be filled. There are no words that can make sense of this loss. Nateya was taken far too soon, and our hearts are heavy with grief. But today is not about how she left us, it’s about who she was, the love she shared, and the way her spirit will always remain with us. One of the most meaningful experiences of my life was participating in the White Deerskin Dance from September 9th to September 18th, of 2022. I was blessed to experience that with my cousin Nateya and miss Kalia. We fasted for ten days, sustaining ourselves only on acorn water. It was physically and mentally exhausting. When the first dance began, it felt surreal. My body was filled with joy, and I felt deeply connected to my ancestors, like I was finally doing something sacred that they once did before me. So much loss had already surrounded our family in the years leading up to that dance. During the ceremony, all of that grief came out of me. I cried, not just from exhaustion, but because I could feel my ancestors with me. I felt every single one of them surrounding me, holding me, and reminding me I wasn’t alone. While I was breaking down, Nateya stood strong beside me. She didn’t show fear or weakness she was calm, steady, and grounded. She was there for me in a quiet but powerful way, pushing me to keep going even when I felt like I had nothing left. Her strength helped carry me forward. As the days went on, the hikes became harder and our bodies more tired. On the eighth day, after hours of hiking and still fasting, we finally reached one of the highest camps. We were exhausted, worn down, and emotional, but we made it. That night, in our tent, we laughed and giggled together. Wrapped tightly in our sleeping bags on our cots, we joked about feeling like little hotdogs. In those moments, despite everything we had been through, life felt light. Life felt good. Those memories are some of the ones I hold closest to my heart. When we reached that camp, I felt something lift inside me, not a painful weight, but a sacred one. I cried because I made it. We made it. I felt the presence of every loved one who had passed, and I felt how proud they were of us. The meaning of the White Deerskin Dance is to let go, to find peace. Experiencing that ceremony with Nateya gave me something I didn’t even know I needed. It taught me that our loved ones are safe, that they are not alone, and that they are surrounded by family on the other side. That is how I choose to believe Nateya is now with all of those who came before her. Safe. At peace. Loved beyond measure. Nateya will never be forgotten. She lives on in our memories, our traditions, our laughter, and our love. Rest peacefully, Nateya. We love you. We honor you. And we will carry you with us always and forever 11:11 till we meet again goof ball! ♡ written by Autumn Dowd

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Pallbearers: Greg Readen, Rick Dowd, Michael Jewel, Lonnie Dean, Timber Scott, Greg Readen Jr, Donovan Baltzley, Kris Clayborn, Thomas Gordon, Kaget Dowd, Brody Dowd, Pergish Montgomery, Kokonow Kinney, Javier Kinney, Matias Minard, KitKah Dowd, Zaiden Dowd, Guy Dowd, Jeremiah Swain, Alkenny Dean, Frank Dowd, Damian Dowd, Danner Dowd, Izzy Dowd, Omar Dean 5th Cole Jewel, Chmook Dowd, Jordan Brown, Rocky Dowd, Issac Kinney, Frankie Gist, Jude Marshal, Joe Marshall Mat Cat, Keith Peterson, Will Bear Carlson, Vaskak Montgomery, Justin Dowd, Ryan Dowd, Brandon Fike, Alme Allen, Phillip Vigil O’Rouke, M’s Vigil, Dowd Vigil, Jesus Jones, RT Jones

Honorary pallbearers: Gary Dowd, Julian Lang, Pride Painter, Mathew Painter Sr, Robert Kinney, Lauren Bommelyn, Brandon Fike, Emil Marshall, Oliver Minard, Henry Minard, Kagama Dowd, Drayden Dowd, Collin Dowd, Ethan Dowd, Alonzo Gordon, Gerald Dowd, Shawn “goose” Long, Artie Jones, Beanie Vigil

Wake will begin at 5 p.m. on Friday, January 9, 2026 and goes all night in Klamath, California at the Lena Reed McCovey Community Center, 156 SE Klamath Beach Road, Klamath.

Services: Saturday, January 10, at Redwood Acres Fairgrounds — 3750 Harris St. Eureka. Doors open at 1 p.m. Services start at 2 p.m. Reception to follow at same location.

Burial: Monday, January 12, 2026 11 a.m. at IOOF cemetery East Cooper Avenue, just past Home Depot.  Crescent City.