George Wickliffe was a Cherokee politician who served as the Principal Chief of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians from 2005 until 2016. In 2016, Wickliffe was impeached and removed from office on charges of financial impropriety using tribal funds and signing contracts without the authorization of the tribal council.
Early life
Wickliffe was born in Kenwood, Oklahoma on August 10, 1937. He was the son of Ben Wickliffe and Rosa Blevins Wickliffe. He was a fluent speaker of the Cherokee language. He was born a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and later changed affiliation, becoming a United Keetoowah Band citizen.[1]
Career
Wickliffe served on the Cherokee National Council from 1975 to 1979. In 1995, he ran unsuccessfully for Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. He later changed citizenship, becoming a member of the United Keetoowah Band. In 2005, he ran successfully for Principal Chief of the United Keetoowah Band and served until 2016.[1] In 2016, he was impeached and removed from office. Three charges of impeachment were filed against Wickliffe, charging that he engaged in vote buying with cash advances and disbursements that were taken from the tribe's general fund without authorization. Other charges included that he awarded himself with $5,000 worth of tribal scholarship funds and signed multiple contracts without the approval of the tribal council.[2]
In addition to serving as Principal Chief, Wickliffe also served as a sports coach, a school superintendent, and a Cherokee language instructor.[3]
Death
Wickliffe died in Muscogee, Oklahoma on December 19, 2017, at age 80.[3]
See also
References
- ^ a b Conley, Robert J. (2007). A Cherokee Encyclopedia. University of New Mexico Press. p. 264. ISBN 978-0-8263-3951-5.
- ^ "Oklahoma tribal chief impeached over financial improprieties". Associated Press. 25 May 2016. Retrieved 2024-01-08.
- ^ a b "Former UKB Chief Wickliffe dies". Cherokee Phoenix. 21 December 2017. Retrieved 2024-01-08.