Bardow Mitchell Lewis

Bardow Mitchell Lewis passed away on November 25, 2022 (Native American Heritage Day) at his

home in Kent, WA. He was 65 years of age. Bardow was born on August 17, 1957 to Thomas M. Lewis and Lorna L. Webster in Bremerton, WA. A proud member of the Suquamish Tribe, he served as the Vice-Chairman of the Suquamish Tribal Council.

Bardow was raised on the ancestral lands of the Suquamish by a variety of foster families. He moved to Seattle during high school and graduated with the Class of 1975 from Chief Sealth High School. He began commercial treaty salmon fishing shortly after graduation and this became a lifelong passion. At the age of 19, he began what would become a 30-year career in the Seattle Parks Department working his way up to a top supervisory position by the time he retired. He also worked nights providing security at Seattle nightclubs.

Never one to be too far from the water, he also worked on the Elliott Bay Net Pens, feeding the coho smolts before they were released into the wild. He enjoyed home improvement projects and his little dogs, including “Butch” his latest mini-Doberman.

Bardow was active in tribal culture both in Seattle and in Suquamish and proud of his heritage.

During his three terms on Tribal Council he represented the Suquamish Tribe in many meetings with local, tribal, state and federal officials. He was very fond of nature and would share beautiful stories of his experiences on the water and in the forests with guests of the Tribe. He enjoyed working on cultural

events and public art projects, including Chief Seattle Days and the restoration of Chief Seattle’s Grave.

He did all of this with a sense of humor and a commitment to solving problems amicably when possible. He always paid homage to past Indian activists – especially Billy Frank, Jr. and Dennis Banks – who paved the way for our treaty rights.

He is survived by his daughters Sun-Shine, Teniya Lewis, and Cassandra Rosemary Lewis, along with

seven grandchildren, including his namesake Bardow Lewis. His surviving siblings include brothers Mark Lewis, Brian Gladstone, Carey Webster, George Hill, Matt Hawk, and sister Angel Hill. He was preceded in death by brother Dave Hill and Clyf “Boo” Gladstone. He also survived by his Aunt Marilyn Wandrey of Suquamish.

A viewing will be held on Saturday, December 10 at 3 p.m. A memorial service will on Sunday, December 11 at 1 p.m. Both will be at the House of Awakened Culture, 7235 NE Parkway, Suquamish, WA.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Cook Family Funeral Home of Bainbridge Island.