The late Charles Locust died on March 22, 2014. Photo from United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians
The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma is mourning the loss of Assistant Chief Charles Locust. Locust died on March 22 after a lengthy illness. He was 57. “The passing of Assistant Chief Locust is a great loss to the Keetoowah Cherokee people,” Chief George Wickliffe said in a press release. “As is the way of the traditional full blood Cherokee people, the UKB will be in mourning for 30 days, and then it will be followed by an additional 30 days of silence. This time is sacred for the tribe and the family.” Locust was first elected assistant chief in 2005 and was most recently re-elected in 2012. During that time, he helped the tribe win federal approval of its land-into-trust applications, Wickliffe said. "He was dedicated to our people, and worked very hard to make lives better for the Keetoowah Cherokees,” Wickliffe said. Locust held a number of positions within the tribe, including housing, budget and gaming. He was active in Indian affairs in Oklahoma and with the National Congress of American Indians. Locust is being laid to rest this afternoon.
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Locust walks on (3/24)
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