Ralph Steinhauer facts for kids

Ralph Garvin Steinhauer (June 8, 1905 – September 19, 1987) was a very important person in Alberta, Canada. He was the tenth lieutenant governor of Alberta. This made him the Queen's representative in the province. He was also the first Indigenous person to hold this special job.

About Ralph Steinhauer

Early Life and Family

Ralph Garvin Apow, who later became Ralph Steinhauer, was born on June 8, 1905. He was born in Morley, which was part of the Northwest Territories back then. His family was Cree, and he was a treaty Indian. This means his family was part of a special agreement between Indigenous peoples and the Canadian government.

When Ralph was young, his father passed away. His mother later married James Arthur Steinhauer. Ralph married Isabel Florence Margaret Davidson in 1928, and they had five children.

In 1937, Ralph got sick with tuberculosis. Because of this, his three oldest children went to a residential school. After Ralph got better, his wife Isabel taught the children at home. This happened because their request for the children to go to a community school was turned down, just because they were Indigenous.

Ralph became a farmer and worked on his land for many years. He continued farming until he passed away in 1987. During the Great Depression, he also worked logging and cutting fence posts to support his family. He died in Edmonton in 1987 due to lung problems.

His Education Journey

Ralph Steinhauer moved schools often when he was a child. This was because his father worked as a missionary. He went to several schools, including a residential school in Red Deer. He finished school with a Grade 8 education.

Later in life, when Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau asked him to become the Lieutenant Governor, Ralph was surprised. He said, "I'm not schooled for a thing like this... You're plucking a person out of the farmyard and an Indian at that." This shows how humble he was.

Ralph's Career and Public Service

Early Public Roles

In the 1920s, Ralph Steinhauer became a leader in the United Farmers of Alberta. He also helped start and lead the Indian Association of Alberta. This group worked to support and represent Indigenous peoples in Alberta.

He tried to become a Member of Parliament in 1963, running for the Liberal party. He was the second treaty Indian to run in a federal election.

From 1966 to 1969, he was the chief of the Saddle Lake Indian Band. During this time, he helped create the Saddle Lake Centennial Development Association. This group helped the First Nation start a successful farming business.

Lieutenant Governor of Alberta

On July 2, 1974, Ralph Steinhauer was chosen to be the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta. This was a very important moment because he was the first Indigenous person to hold this position. Jules Léger, the Governor General of Canada, made the official appointment.

Ralph Steinhauer was known for speaking his mind about Indigenous issues. Even though the Lieutenant Governor's role is usually apolitical (meaning not involved in politics), he often shared his personal views.

In 1977, he read the speech from the throne in the Alberta Legislature. He wore the full clothes of a Cree chief, which was a powerful symbol. On one of his last days in the Legislature, he thanked everyone and said, "May the Great Spirit remain with you." This was the first time the Great Spirit was mentioned in the provincial legislature.

In 1976, he gave a speech at the University of Calgary. He talked about the unfair things that had happened to Indigenous peoples. He even suggested he might not approve new laws if they hurt First Nations.

In July 1976, Ralph Steinhauer led a group to Buckingham Palace in England. They went to remember the signing of Treaty Six and Treaty Seven. He convinced Premier Peter Lougheed to help pay for the trip. Even though he promised the visit would not be political, he spoke to the Queen about Indigenous issues. He later explained, "I was just stating facts."

Ralph Steinhauer finished his term as Lieutenant Governor on October 18, 1979. After that, he went back to his farm in Saddle Lake.

Awards and Recognition

Ralph Steinhauer received many honours for his work and leadership:

• In 1967, he became an Officer of the Order of Canada. This is one of Canada's highest awards.
• In 1984, he was added to the Alberta Agriculture Hall of Fame.
• He received special Doctor of Laws degrees from the University of Alberta in 1976 and the University of Calgary in 1979.
• He also received an Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree in 1985.
• He was a Knight of Grace of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem in 1975.
• Today, the Ralph Steinhauer Award of Distinction helps students with their studies.

See also

• The Canadian Crown and Aboriginal peoples