Tee Longhair | Guiding Culture and Community Spirit

Interview facilitated and article written by: Dustin Khong

Tee Longhair
Hometown: Roosevelt (Uintah and Ouray Reservation), Utah
Native American/American Indian Utahn, Family Programs Coordinator at the Urban Indian Center and Director of the Red Tail Organization (Ahkuhkwseech)

Hello — Myke (Hello in Ute), my name is Tetona “Tee” Longhair, and my story is woven through the landscapes of Utah — between the mountains, plains, and deserts of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation. As a proud Ute woman, my life has been centered on family, community service, cultural teaching, and reclaiming tradition for future generations.

From an early age, I learned the importance of keeping my head held high with my culture on my shoulders. My grandparents raised me with both love and practicality. They passed down traditional skills — beading, hunting, fishing, and preparing deer hides — that I now proudly share with others. My parents, too, were keepers of tradition; through their daily actions and values, they taught me the importance of staying connected to our cultural roots. Their teachings became the foundation for my life’s passion: to nurture pride, health, and connection within our Native communities.

I serve as the family programs coordinator at the Urban Indian Center. I also direct my nonprofit, Red Tail Organization — known in Ute as “Ahkuhkwseech,” — which helps organize cultural events and supports youth empowerment. Whether it’s teaching youth how to bead, coordinating community coat drives, or designing for the Utah Indigenous Fashion Show, my work always blends my background into creativity, service, and cultural education. Watching young people recognize their worth and talents, seeing elders honored, and helping families reconnect with tradition gives me purpose and joy.

Our community’s journey has found ways to thrive even when hardships stood on our doorsteps. I have witnessed the impact of mental health challenges among Native youth and elders, making it even more critical for me to step into a role where I can actively promote healthier lifestyles, cultural grounding, and creating accessible support systems. Through every class, every event, every conversation, I strive to create spaces where culture and healing are celebrated hand-in-hand.

Traditionally, our Bear Dance brings all five of our Ute communities together to celebrate renewal, unity, and cultural strength. But in 2024, the Fort Duchesne Bear Dance chiefs announced they would be taking a break. Organizing such a sacred and large-scale event typically takes a full year of preparation, and we had only two months. Many believed it simply could not be done. But I saw it differently — I believed that even when traditional structures pause, the spirit of community should not.

With a few committed community members, I helped organize a Powwow to keep our gathering spirit alive. This effort was organized through my nonprofit. We fundraised, coordinated with drum groups from as far away as Oklahoma, and reached out to traditional hand game organizers and softball committees to revive all the events that usually surrounded the Bear Dance. Our collective efforts reignited something powerful: Others were inspired to step forward too, and at the last moment, the Bear Dance itself was revived alongside our Powwow. Moments like that remind me why cultural preservation matters. Our traditions are living, breathing parts of who we are — and it’s our responsibility to carry them forward, together.

Reflecting on my past, I see nothing but growth and the importance of cultural pride. I teach my children and my community that knowing who you are — and where you come from — is a kind of wealth, one that can never be taken away.

To anyone seeking belonging in Utah, my message is simple:

HOME IS HERE