Ambrose William Smartlowit

Ambrose William Smartlowit, aka "Smallish Bear," was born July 12, 1996, to a wonderful mother, Angeline Rebecca Axtell, and father, Ronnie Lee Smartlowit in Lewiston. He was raised in the Lapwai area his whole life. On Tuesday, June 9, 2015, he went to be with the creator and loved ones who have gone on before.

Ambrose was well known for his bright smile that lit up a room, to which his mom, dad and close family members could not say "no" when he used his smile and persuasive batting eyelashes. He was always willing to help anyone, any way he could. He always had good words to say in moments that needed kindness.

In his short life he was a very good teacher and mentor to his friends and relatives. He liked to share his knowledge of Nimiipuutimpt and his Nez Perce history with anyone who was interested.

Ambrose was a proud Lapwai Wildcat and graduated with the class of 2014. He enjoyed participating in the Mentor Artist Playwright Project and the Nimiipuutimpt Knowledge Bowl, where he received first place at the Umatilla Language Bowl. He was also part of the Lapwai High School Hacky Sack and Skateboard Crew. And in his elementary years, he played for the Lapwai Baby Wildcats and Boys and Girls Clubs basketball teams.

He was an annual camper at the Pendleton Roundup and Mudsprings Encampment, and he enjoyed hunting and fishing and gathering his traditional roots of Khouse Khouse and Mountain Tea. After taking a year off enjoying his family and friends and becoming a proud first-time uncle to his precious "Z Warrior," he was preparing to pursue his higher education in the fall at Lewis-Clark State College.

Ambrose is survived by his parents and brother Thomas James Smartlowit at the family home; a sister, Sydel Salina Smartlowit and nephew Zephyr Charles Robertson of Lewiston; maternal grandparents JuneCraig and Charles Axtel of Chaweekta, Idaho, and Purnell Axtell of Wapato, Wash.; paternal great-grandfather Johnny Smartlowit (Helen) of Wiley City, Wash.; maternal great-grandfather Horace P. Axtell (Andrea) of Lewiston; and numerous aunties, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandmother, Katherine Jean Smartlowit-Suarez; and great-grandmother Lavina Violet Mann Smartlowit.

Shaker and seven-drum services took place Thursday and sunrise services will take place at 4:30 a.m. today, with burial at Coyote Cemetery. After burial, we will return to the Pi Nee Waus Community Center for dinner. Arrangements were made by Malcolm's Brower-Wann Funeral Home.