Tommy Wildcat (born May 3, 1967) is a Native American musician and academic.

Background

Cherokee Nation National Treasure Tommy Wildcat is an enrolled citizen of the

Cherokee Nation The Cherokee Nation ( or ) is the largest of three list of federally recognized tribes, federally recognized tribes of Cherokees in the United States. It includes people descended from members of the Cherokee Nation (1794–1907), Old Cheroke ...

, Tulsa Indian Alliance Lifetime Cultural Achievement Award Recipient, NAMA - Native American Music Award Flutist of the Year 2002. His parents are Annie and the late Tom Webber Wildcat Both are Cherokee National Treasures He also has a twin sister named Tammy. Tommy graduated from Sequoyah High School 1985, and he is a 2014 graduate of

Northeastern State University Northeastern State University (NSU) is a public university with its main campus in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. The university also has two other campuses in Muskogee and Broken Arrow as well as online. Northeastern is the oldest institution of hig ...

in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. His Bachelor's Degree included a Major in Cherokee Cultural Studies and a Minor in American Indian Studies. His family appeared in ''

National Geographic ''National Geographic'' (formerly ''The National Geographic Magazine'', sometimes branded as ''Nat Geo'') is an American monthly magazine published by National Geographic Partners. The magazine was founded in 1888 as a scholarly journal, nine ...

'' magazine's September 2005 issue, where one photo showed Tommy holding his young nephew, Skylar Wildcat.Conley, Robert
''A Cherokee Encyclopedia.''
Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 2007: 264. (retrieved through Google Books, 28 May 2009) . His father Tom Wildcat was designated a Cherokee National Treasure in 1995 for his skill in making turtle shell shakers, Mother Annie Wildcat was Bestowed a Cherokee National Treasure in 2018 for Clay Bead Necklaces. Tommy was featured in the American Express commercial Charge Against Hunger 1995, which aired during the Beatles Anthology.''The Cherokee Nation and Tahlequah''. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing, 2000: 124. .

Music

A self-taught composer of flute songs, Tommy has learned traditional vocal songs of his tribe from his father, Tom W. Wildcat.Duvall, Deborah L. ''The Cherokee Nation and Tahlequah''. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing, 2000: 124. . Tommy Wildcat's company, A Warrior's Production, has produced four full-length albums. His first was released in 1995,
''The People's Path.'' 2002 (retrieved 28 May 2009) including Tom Richard's ''The Real Outdoors'' on the Nashville Network.McClure, Tony Mack
Cherokee Traditional Music Performed by Tommy Wildcat.
(retrieved 28 May 2009)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wildcat, Tommy 1967 births Living people People from Tahlequah, Oklahoma Cherokee Nation musicians Natchez people American people of Muscogee descent Native American flautists Musicians from Oklahoma 20th-century Native American people 21st-century Native American people