Former White Mountain Apache Tribe chairman Ronnie Lupe passes on

Tuesday, August 13, 2019  

Ronnie Lupe, a longtime former chairman of the White Mountain Apache Tribe, passed away on Monday. He was 89 years old.

Lupe led his people for a record nine terms. In total, he served 36 years in office for the Arizona-based tribe.

"Today he's gone home and we've lost one of the most influential, courageous and profoundly good human beings that any of us will share time with on this Earth. He no longer belongs to us; he belongs to the ages," Chairwoman Gwendena Lee-Gatewood said in a statement. "Through his fierce dignity and unbending will to sacrifice his own freedom for the freedom of others, Ronnie Lupe transformed The Tribe and moved all of us.

Lupe was well known for his work in promoting water rights, tribal sovereignty and the federal trust responsibility. His efforts led to the passage of the White Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quantification Act, which settled his tribe's water rights in Arizona.

Another major achievement was a Secretarial order related to the Endangered Species Act. In it, the Department of the Interior and the Department of Commerce promised to "ensure that Indian tribes do not bear a disproportionate burden for the conservation of listed species."

"Honorable Former Chairman Ronnie Lupe, has left us and gone on home. A man of such honor a real fighter and warrior for his people," Vice Chairman Jerome Kasey III said in a post on social media.

A wake for Lupe is scheduled for August 16 in Whiteriver, to be followed by a rosary at the Whiteriver Catholic Church. Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday, with the location to be determined.

For more information, contact Jerry Golshay Jr., at (928) 594-0310.

I remember my grandpa Cooper use to tease Ronnie Lupe alot. One time when Burger King first opened here in whiteriver my grandpa took me there for lunch, he saw Ronnie there too and told him in Apache "What are... https://t.co/hKiBPTPdwy

— Markos Aurelius Kaiser (@thegluggernaut) August 12, 2019

Sending Chairman Lupe home this morning. I’ve interviewed him many times through the years...even got him to laugh...he was a strong Apache leader. My last visit w/him was at this #Obama event. My condolences to his family. #RonnieLupe #WMAT https://t.co/pvGXlm75z6

— Patty Talahongva (@WiteSpider) August 12, 2019

The Association is heartbroken hearing of Ronnie Lupe's passing. Our thoughts are with the White Mountain Apache, Mr. Lupe's family and friends. He taught us all about the value of sovereignty. https://t.co/Isen4WBNK7

— A.A.I.A. (@IndianAffairs) August 13, 2019

I was raised on the White Mountain Apache Nation, and today my heart is there. I’m saddened to hear about the passing of my old friend, Ronnie Lupe. I am grateful to have known and worked with him. Thank you, my friend, for your service. https://t.co/5bWsP2BAy6

— Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (@RepKirkpatrick) August 12, 2019

It was an honor to have known & worked with Chairman Lupe over the years. I saw his passion for the White Mountain Apache people and the selfless work he did to better their lives and preserve and strengthen the tribe’s sovereignty. #AZ01 https://t.co/lDyZxud8J7

— Rep. Tom O'Halleran (@RepOHalleran) August 12, 2019

Mourning the loss of former White Mountain Apache Chairman Ronnie Lupe, who passed away today at 89. He was a great friend to NAU, serving on our Native American Advisory Board for many years. Heartfelt condolences to his family. #RestInPeace
https://t.co/0YeleZ7o6H

— Rita Cheng (@NAUPresident) August 13, 2019

I’m saddened to hear about the loss of Ronnie Lupe. He dedicated his life to serving others as a Marine, as a tribal councilman, and as tribal chairman. My heart goes out to his family and to the White Mountain Apache Tribe. https://t.co/d2AuIsNJn0

— Martha McSally (@SenMcSallyAZ) August 12, 2019

Saddened to hear of the passing of Ronnie Lupe, a leader in Arizona's Native American community. Lupe served as a Marine in the Korean War and chairman of the White Mountain Apache Tribe for 36 years. Arizona honors his life and service. #RIP https://t.co/h4bsMQFXAu

— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) August 12, 2019

White Mountain Apaches lose Ronnie Lupe 'one of its greatest leaders' (Indian Country Today August 12, 2019)
Ronnie Lupe, WMAT icon, passes at 89 (The White Mountain Independent August 13, 2019)
Former White Mountain Apache Tribe Leader Dies After Decades of Public Service (The Associated Press August 13, 2019)
White Mountain Apache Tribe remembers former Chairman Ronnie Lupe (The Arizona Republic August 13, 2019)
Former longtime White Mountain Apache tribal chairman dies (The Associated Press August 13, 2019)