Goshute leader, activist Rupert Steele dies at 69

SALT LAKE CITY — Rupert Steele, chairman of the Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation and an activist for Native American issues, died Thursday morning. He was 69.

Steele was an ardent advocate for his tribe as well as Native Americans in general, pushing for change, recognition and cultural and linguistic preservation on numerous fronts.

"With heavy hearts we announce that our father Rupert Steele, Chairman of the Goshute Tribe, began his journey into the Spirit World at 1:40 a.m. on Jan. 26," Steele's family announced on social media. "He was surrounded by his immediate family. We ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time."

Steele's dedication to protect tribal interests and preserve the language, culture and natural resources of his tribes was apparent. He pushed for water rights, the halt of a UTA proposal to build a train depot on land containing Goshute tribal artifacts, improvements for roads around his reservation, the removal of a slur for Native women from the names for Utah geographical features and government recognition of the Native American boarding school system.

"It is important for the council to be involved at the local, state and federal levels because they play an important role in making laws and regulations that affect the tribe," Steele wrote during his candidacy for the Goshute Business Council. "I am fully committed to meeting and facing the challenges head-on while acting in the best interest of the tribe."

Numerous leaders have praised that commitment after Steele's death.

"Rupert was a powerful presence with a powerful voice and strong leadership. He was an advocate for not only his Tribe but for all of Indian Country, the elements and Sacred lands," the Utah Division of Indian Affairs said in a statement. "He was a champion for many causes and importantly the protection of Native American children in his efforts to codify the Indian Child Welfare Act in Utah. We greatly appreciated and respect his spiritual leadership and guidance. His sincerity, wisdom and friendship impacted our lives and he leaves us with a beautiful legacy and example to live by."

Former Sen. Jani Iwamoto said her heart was breaking at the news of Steele's death: "I have worked with him for many years in legislation. All I can say is that I love him and he impacted my life greatly. I will honor him the rest of my life."

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson issued a joint statement calling Steele a "spiritual leader and standard-bearer."

Today our hearts are with the Confederated Tribes of the Goshute. pic.twitter.com/A9DlFTzFSe

— Lt. Gov. Deidre M. Henderson (@LGHendersonUtah) January 26, 2023

"Steele forged friendships with local, state and federal leaders — ensuring the voice and interests of the tribe were well-represented," the statement reads. "Undoubtedly, Chairman Steele's impact will outlive this generation. Importantly, Utah remains deeply committed to Chairman Steele's efforts to codify the Indian Child Welfare Act and defend tribal sovereignty."

The University of Utah also released a statement quoting U. President Taylor Randall, who called Steele "not only a strong leader of the Goshute and an advocate for Native peoples, (but) also an active member of our U. campus community as an instructor, mentor and an alum."

The Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation did not immediately respond to KSL.com's request for comment.

Steele was born and raised on the Goshute Reservation in Ibapah, in western Tooele County, to parents Jane Dugan Steele and Hubert Steele. He attended Stewart Indian High School in Nevada, Southwest Indian Polytechnic Institute in New Mexico and Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, where he studied forestry and natural resources management.

He worked for the federal government for 35 years before retiring to Salt Lake City in 2015. In addition to being chairman, Steele served in a variety of positions, including the Goshute Business Council, Utah Tribal Leaders Committee, the Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada, the Utah Native American Remains Review Committee and the Utah Snake Valley Water Advisory Committee.

However, he wasn't always active in tribal politics. He said seeing how tribal issues were handled on a federal level during his time as a government employee motivated him to get involved in politics.

"I didn't really get into politics until the late 1990s, then I started to go to council meetings and started to listen to what was going on. Then I returned back to the reservation in 2000 and that's when I really started getting involved in it," he told KSL.com during an interview in November. "When I retired, I decided to try to assist the tribe the best way I can."

Recently, Steele has led a push to codify the federal Indian Child Welfare Act at the state level. The act protects Native children from removal from their tribes and families. It currently faces a Supreme Court challenge, which state and tribal leaders say would put Native children and tribal sovereignty at risk.

Steele, who grew up before the act was passed in 1978, described running and hiding when non-Native individuals would visit the reservation out of fear of being removed from his home, something he said he saw happen to many other children on the reservation.

"The Indian Child Welfare Act was a piece of legislation that really left the Indians to take care of their own children, to exercise their sovereignty. And it gives the children a chance not to be afraid, to go forward with their lives without any fear of 'Oh, my tribe is not going to take care of me now because there's nothing there to protect me,'" Steele told KSL.com in November.

Steele said the calming effect the act had on tribal communities has been disrupted by the Supreme Court challenge.

"It's troublesome, worrisome. Do we go back and tell our children that this may happen to you guys — because of my experience, and what I've seen — this may happen?" he said. "What are we telling our children? Don't trust anybody — and that's not a good thing. It divides us."

Funeral arrangements will be announced when finalized, according to Steele's family.

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