Ralph Steinhauer

Ralph Garvin Steinhauer, OC ( born June 8, 1905 in Morley, Alberta, † September 19, 1987 in Edmonton, Alberta) was a Canadian politician. From 1974 to 1979 he was Vice- Governor of the Province of Alberta.

Biography

After the death of his father, a Cree Indian, Steinhauer's mother moved in 1908 to Saddle Lake, where she married again. Her new husband adopted the children. Steinhauer attended the Residential School in Brandon. In 1928 he married Isabel Florence Margaret Davidson, with whom he had five children.

At the beginning of his professional life Steinhauer was a civil servant. His application to the deputy postmaster was rejected because of his Indian heritage. Later, however, he was able to attain this position. He also worked as a farmer and purchased a farm in Brosseau in the Saddle Lake Indian Reserve.

Steinhauer 1923, the United Farmers of Alberta in. Forty years later, he was nominated for the electoral district of Vegreville, but could not prevail in the election. He was co-founder of wheat farmers 'cooperative Alberta Wheat Pool and district president of the Farmers' Union. For 34 years he belonged to the tribal council of Saddle Lake and spent three years as chief. He sat engaged for the Indians in Alberta, and was involved in many associations who had prescribed the same destination.

On July 2, 1974 Steinhauer has been appointed on the recommendation of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau to the Vice Governor of the Province of Alberta. After he had passed his office on November 18, 1989, to his successor, he returned to his farm near Saddle Lake. He was the first Lieutenant Governor of Alberta with Indian roots. Steinhauer died on September 19, 1987 in Edmonton, and was carried to the United Church Cemetery at the grave.

Honors

In the 1960s and 1970s Steinhauer has received several honors, all are based on his political activities. In 1976 he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Alberta in the subject of Jursitik, three years later he was honored by the University of Calgary with the same appreciation.