Chief Chester Moore, a hereditary chieftain from the Nisga’a Community of Gingolx, is dedicated to the preservation of traditional arts in carving, cultural feasts, and dance groups.

Also holding the name Sim’oogit Hay’maas, he was privileged to have a traditional upbringing because he was one of the few not sent to a residential school. Chief Moore has been actively composing songs, choreographing dance groups and drum-drills, teaching carving and cultural practices since the early 1970s.

He has assisted in the formation of cultural dance groups in the communities of Gitwinksihlkw, Laxgalts’ap and Gingolx. He has taught cultural dancing in Terrace, Prince Rupert, and Vancouver. Chief Moore is proactive in adopting new media to support retention and promotion of culture. This is reflected by his incorporation of multimedia technology and utilizing this medium to preserve and share Nisga’a culture.

Respected as a Nisga’a walking encyclopedia, his enthusiasm and support for cultural survival of the Nisga’a is reflected in the many totem poles he has carved, murals he has painted, drums he has made, cradles he has constructed, songs he has composed, and drum drills he has choreographed.