Blackwell was born at Concho Indian Hospital in El Reno, Oklahoma, on July 30, 1942. He was raised in Tishomingo, Oklahoma. His ancestry included Choctaw as well as Chickasaw. As a boy, he spent most summers with his grandparents, who were educators employed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs on the North Plains and New Mexico. This experience formed his deep ties to Picuris Pueblo in New Mexico and Loneman School on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Heals became fluent in Lakota, as well as the Chickasaw and Choctaw languages. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts in education from East Central State College in 1964, where he was named "Student of the Year" in 1964, served as editor of the college's newspaper, and was the founding president of the Epsilon Omega chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. After receiving his degree, he taught English at Window Rock High School in Fort Defiance, Arizona. In 1972, Blackwell received a law degree from the University of New Mexico School of Law. He held a position as a staff attorney at the American Indian Law Center from 1972 to 1974 after graduating from law school. Blackwell then served as the Associate Director of the Special Scholarship Program in Law for American Indians from 1974 until 1977. He simultaneously became an Assistant Dean and Adjunct Professor at the University of New MexicoSchool of Law, his alma mater, from 1974 to 1977 as well. In 1979, Blackwell founded a group that was later named Native Affairs and Development Group and in 1985 relocated to Washington, D. C.
Ambassador of the Chickasaw Nation (1995-2013)
In 1990, Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby appointed Blackwell as delegate to the United States. He would serve as delegate until 1995, when Governor Anoatubby would elevate him to ambassador. The decision to send Blackwell to Washington D.C. as the Chickasaw delegate and then ambassador came after discussions between Anoatubby and Blackwell. According to Governor Anoatubby, "We agreed that there was a need for the tribes to revive a tradition of diplomatic relations with other governments...Appointment of an official ambassador helped to reinforce the formal government-to-government relationship the Chickasaw Nation had with the federal government. Over the years, Charles did a tremendous job of helping that relationship grow and improve." In 1995, Governor Anoatubby appointed Blackwell as the first Ambassador of the Chickasaw Nation to the United States. Blackwell was not only the first Native American Ambassador to the U.S., but also the first tribal ambassador from any Native American government to the United States. He took office at a 1995 ceremony held in Washington. Blackwell held the ambassadorship, which is based in Washington D.C., from 1995 until his death in office in January 2013. During his tenure, Blackwell became a prominent advocate for Native American education, health and economic issues. Blackwell founded the First American Business Center, headquartered in Washington D.C. which promotes Native American economic development and entrepreneurship. He also served within the Western Governor's States Drought Coordination Council from 1995 to 1997. Ambassador Blackwell contributed to the Chickasaw Times as a frequent columnist. In 1997, U.S. President Bill Clinton appointed Blackwell to the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS. He served on as the Council's only Native American member from 1997 until 2001.
Death
Blackwell died in office in Washington D.C. on January 2, 2013, at the age of 70. The cause of death was "...of respiratory complications following surgery." Chickasaw Governor Bill Anoatubby released a statement praising Blackwell, "Charles Blackwell embodied all the best qualities of a diplomat and statesman as the Chickasaw Nation Ambassador to the United States. He brought a tremendous level of wisdom, integrity, knowledge and passion to his duties as our emissary in Washington...As one who was fortunate enough to call Charles my friend, it is with great sadness that my condolences go out to his family and other close friends. This is a sad day for the entire Chickasaw Nation, as we have lost an irreplaceable friend and unrivaled advocate." An official memorial service was held at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington on January 26, 2013.
He received a Special Act Award from the Secretary of the Department of Energy in 2006.
He was presented the National Director's Legacy Award for Lifetime Achievement by the Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency in 2007.
