Ted "Ruski" Moore, Jr.

Ted “Ruski” Moore Jr. passed away on September 10, 2025, at his home in Minnesota. His Osage name was Wah-tse-ah-tah, as the oldest son of the Tsi-Zho clan (Golden eagle) and of the Governor Joe Band. Ted was Otoe-Missouria (Mankoge Owl clan), Osage, Pawnee (Kitkahaki band), Sac & Fox (Bear Clan), and Prairie Band Potawatomi, and proud to be from each one of his tribes.

Ted was the oldest son of Thomasine E. Moore of Fairfax and Ted Moore Bravescout, Sr., and Isa ”Dycie” Bravescout of Pawnee. His grandparents were Mary Osage Green (Osage); Thomas Green Jr. (Sac and Fox); Sidney Moore Sr. (Otoe-Missouria), and Pearl Peters Moore (Pawnee). He belonged to the Grayhorse District and proudly served as a committeeman and a former tail dancer. He was also committeeman for the Kaw Ilonshka.

Ted married his wife, Terry Mason, on August 3, 1984. They just celebrated 41 years of marriage. Together they had four children: Jessica, Dillon, and twins Erica and Elizabeth.

Ted was born and raised in Fairfax, Oklahoma. During his younger years, he lived in Anaheim, California; Mt. Etna, Tennessee; Ocean City, Maryland; and Ocala, Florida. At a very young age, he started dancing with his family. Throughout numerous places, he shared fancy dancing, shield and spear, eagle, and hoop dancing with the Bravescout Dance Troupe. His performing name was “Bright Path”. He, his siblings, and numerous cousins learned and performed together. Although living away from Oklahoma in his early years, he grew up participating in the Grayhorse ceremonial dances in June. He attended Sacred Heart Catholic School in Fairfax, Oklahoma, and was an altar boy. He attended junior high and high school in Ocala, Florida. During his childhood, he enjoyed playing kick the can, football at the big house, riding behind the car on the big sled, playing army, and paper football. After returning to Oklahoma, he traveled to many states, attending various powwows and gatherings. He was always skilled and possessed artistic talent from a young age.

Ted graduated from Vanguard High School in Ocala, Florida, in 1971. Ted was an artist and educator. He started his higher education at the College of Central Florida in Ocala, Florida. He obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Painting from the University of Oklahoma and a Master of Education degree in Gifted and Talented Education from Oklahoma City University. Throughout his career, he was an art teacher, grant writer, professor, and artist. He recently retired after 40 years and enjoyed painting and further developing his art. During these 40 years, he wrote grants for tribal museums, served as a non-profit Development Director, an Osage Nation Education Director, a tribal administrator, and the Cultural Engagement Center Manager at Northern Oklahoma College (NOC) in Tonkawa, Oklahoma. In Minnesota, he helped establish the Native Arts Circle, worked as lead teacher for St. Paul Indian Education, and taught at the American Indian Magnet School. He taught Native American studies, art studies, and grant writing at Pawnee Nation College and Bacone College, where he served as Chair of the Native American Studies department. He was also a grant writer for the Kaw Nation and the Otoe-Missouria Tribes of Oklahoma.

Ted painted many original paintings of his family and relatives. His paintings reflected and encompassed his tribal upbringing and knowledge. In addition to painting, Ted created artistic fashion accessories, including belts, vests, medallions, and Native cultural items, as well as traditional dance items. Last Fall, he was proud to have had an art exhibit at Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, Oklahoma, called Across Generations, where he exhibited 16 paintings and a painted art vest with his daughter, Dr. Jessica Moore Harjo, featuring her art and fashion. His most recent work is featured in an exhibit called Reflections of Our People, Our Ways, Our Land in Lincoln, Nebraska, which showcases Otoe-Missouria cultural ways and history along with 24 other Otoe-Missouria artists. In addition, Ted has a piece in the upcoming Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition 12x12 exhibit in Oklahoma City and was in the process of planning an exhibit for the forthcoming opening of the Fairfax Visitor Center. He helped with the new Fairfax Artspace and looked forward to teaching art workshops there.

Ted studied the Osage Language since 2006 and dedicated his time and energy to revitalizing and preserving the Osage Language. He also started taking Otoe-Missouria language classes. He was proud to have served on the Otoe-Missouria Tribal Council. He enjoyed his work as President of the board of directors for the Pawnee Seeds Preservation Society and painted a mural in their storage cellar. He served for many years on the board of Native Voices Rising, which worked with Native Americans in Philanthropy and Common Counsel Foundation, and was recently an advisory board member for St. Paul teacher licensing.

Ted was a road man and an original member of the Otoe Native American Church A-Wah-Hun-Da-Ha Chapter, meaning “two worlds collide,” named after Grampa Sid Moore Sr. or Bravescout Chapter.

Ted was an Oklahoma State University Cowboy fan, an Oklahoma City Thunder fan, and a Minnesota Vikings fan. He enjoyed watching and attending games with his family.

Ted is survived by his wife Terry, brother Randy and Melissa Moore, sister Sydna and Edward Yellowfish, sister Tracey Moore; children Jessica and Russell Harjo, Dillon Moore and Bethany Dupoint, Erica and Kiowa Cozad, Elizabeth Moore, Alex Smith, Jeremy Moore; grandchildren, LaMiyah, Nathan, Rozen, Rexton, Onnyx, Mamie; aunts: Beverly Brownfield, DeeDee GoodEagle, Sylvestine Shields, Sandra Moore and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and adopted family.

He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Mary Osage Green; grandfather, Thomas Green Jr.; grandparents Sidney Moore Sr. and Pearl Peters Moore; mother Thomasine E. Moore; father Ted Moore Bravescout, Sr. and Isa “Dycie” Moore Bravescout; aunts: Eunice “Dolly” Lane, Wilma Williams, Nova Moore Fields, and Laverne Horsechief. Uncles: Sidney Moore Jr., Pete Moore Sr., Norman Keel Sr., George Shields Sr., and adopted Sac & Fox mom, Carmen Wanatee, along with several cousins.

A Pawnee Native American Church Service will be held at the Grayhorse Chapel on 9/18 at 7:00 pm. A Rosary will be held at the Grayhorse Chapel on 9/19 at 6:30 pm with an Otoe Native American Church service to follow. An Osage Service will be held on 9/20 at 8:00 am at the Grayhorse Chapel. A Catholic Service will be held at 10