In June, the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians of Oklahoma celebrated the historic approval of its land-into-trust application and it looks like tribal leaders were rewarded for their success.

According to The Tahlequah Daily Press, Chief George Wickliffe and Assistant Chief Charles Locust each received $5,000. Secretary Joyce Fourkiller Hawk and Treasurer Ella Mae Worley each received $2,500, the paper said.

Four more officials each received $2,500 and all nine members of the tribal council each received $1,000. That's more than $40,000 in bonuses, which the tribe's attorney general said came out of the budget.

Worley and two council members reportedly gave their bonuses back to the tribe amid complaints from tribal citizens.

Get the Story:
Media ousted from UKB meeting (The Tahlequah Daily Press 11/7)

Relevant Documents:
May 24, 2011, Decision | September 10, 2010, Decision

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United Keetoowah Band hosts celebration for land-into-trust (6/22)
United Keetoowah Band hails BIA action on land-into-trust (05/26)
BIA approves United Keetoowah Band land-into-trust bid (5/25)
United Keetoowah Band hopeful for BIA land-into-trust approval (9/23)
Echo Hawk affirms UKB's right to follow land-into-trust process (09/13)
BIA holds off on Keetoowah Band land-into-trust (6/26)