| Robert Tree Cody | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Robert Cody |
| Born | (1951-04-20)April 20, 1951 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Died | September 14, 2023(2023-09-14) (aged 72) |
| Instrument | Native American flute |
Robert Tree Cody (April 20, 1951 – September 14, 2023) was an American musician, dancer, and educator.[1] He graduated fromJohn Marshall High School in 1969. Robert was an adopted son of Hollywood actorIron Eyes Cody.
Robert Tree Cody was the adopted son of the actorIron Eyes Cody and Cody's wifeBertha Parker, an Assistant in Archaeology atSouthwest Museum of the American Indian. Iron Eyes and Bertha adopted Robert and his brother Arthur, who served in theUnited States Marine Corps during theVietnam War and died as a result of exposure toAgent Orange. The brothers were ofDakota andMaricopa heritage. Robert was an enrolled member of theSalt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. In the Maricopa language, his traditional name wasOou Kas Mah Quet, meaning "Thunder Bear".[2]
Formerly ofBig Bear, California, he resided in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico with his wife, Rachel. His nickname, "Tree," came from his height: he was six feet nine and a half inches tall.[2] In 2009, Robert was interviewed about his father in the Canadian documentaryReel Injun.
Cody died on September 14, 2023, at the age of 72.[3]
Robert Cody played theNative American flute, had released eleven albums withCanyon Records and toured throughout the Americas, Europe, and East Asia.[4] He performed the traditional carved wooden flute on several tracks ofThe Rippingtons' 1999 albumTopaz.[5]
Cody was a featured flautist in the tenth episode of thePBS seriesReading Rainbow, entitled "The Gift of the Sacred Dog" (based on the book byPaul Goble). It was filmed atMontana'sCrow Agency reservation on June 17, 1983. He performed with Xavier Quijas Yxayotl (Huichol) fromGuadalajara for the 2000new age albumCrossroads.[6] He also was on the 5th and 6th season of Longmire. In episode 5, he was one of the singers in the sweat lodge scene.
During the 1950s and '60s and '70s, Cody travelled the pow-wow circuit extensively as a dancer.[2]
In November of 2022, Robert Tree Cody was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Native American Music Awards. Due to failing health, he was unable to attend.
Tree was previously a multiple award winner of the Native American Music Awards for his albums; "Native Flamenco" featuring Tony Redhouse and Ruben Romero, "Maze" released in 2002, "Crossroads" with Xavier Quijas Yxayotl as well as for a collaboration with Taste of Honey's Janice Marie Johnson on her recording "Until The Eagle Falls." He was also nominated for a Grammy at the49th Annual Grammy Awards forBest Native American Music Album for "Heart of the Wind" featuring Will Clipman.
