Artefact 6: Ralph Garvin Steinhauer

Citation: Holmgren, E. (2016). Ralph Garvin Steinhauer. The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/ralph-garvin-steinhauer

Ralph Garvin Steinhauer was the first Indigenous person to serve as lieutenant-governor of Alberta from 1974-1979. He was born in 1905, in Morley, North-West Territories, which is now Alberta and died 1987 in Edmonton, Alberta. Steinhauer was a Treaty Indian of Cree descent and an advocate for Indigenous rights. He was first a farmer and served as a councillor and chief of Saddle Lake Cree Nation. Steinhauer's commitment to Indigenous affairs in Alberta and Canada led was a great achievement. He attended and was a survivor of Brandon Indian Residential School in Manitoba and his experience pushed him to be more involved. Steinhauer was part of many organizations like he was president of the Indian Association of Alberta that advocated for Indigenous rights and reconciliation. He also helped launch the Saddle Lake Centennial Development Association which is a successful farming venture on his home reserve for his community. While he was lieutenant-governor, Steinhauer addressed Indigenous issues like in 1975 where he did a speech addressing the long and complicated relationship between Canada and Indigenous peoples. He left a lasting impact improving reconciliation for Indigenous peoples and contribute to what is Canada today.

Bibliography: Holmgren, E. (2016). Ralph Garvin Steinhauer. The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/ralph-garvin-steinhauer