Columbia, SC (WLTX) - Dr. Will Moreau Goins, a well-known community leader in the Midlands, has died.
Goins was a Native American activist and artist who served as chief of the Cherokee Indian Tribe of South Carolina.
He was also the president and faith representative for Native American spirituality of the Interfaith Partners of South Carolina.
The IPSC mourned his death in a statement:
"Dr. Goins brought many gifts to his role in IPSC, including his understanding of the American Indian deep connection with the earth. His enthusiasm for creative ways of engaging others resulted in a 2016 children’s interfaith art contest. He was closely involved with the creation of South Carolina’s first printed interfaith calendar, delivered just days ago. (A copy of this beautiful educational calendar will be mailed to every school district in the state.) Many have been inspired by Dr. Goins’ singing, his beautiful beading and other Native crafts, and his knowledge of First Peoples history and struggle to survive following the European migrations."