Matthew Moore
Session at the Sierra Nevada Tribal Summit 2026
Panel: Cultural Fire Stewardship
Monday, October 1910:00–11:00 amHardrock Live
The Cultural Fire Stewardship panel will bring together five experienced fire practitioners from across the Sierra Nevada Bioregion to discuss what it takes to activate community engagement in cultural fire. Each of these leaders bring years of dedication, experience, and knowledge to be able to provide a diversity of perspectives on cultural fire –from fire protection to community health, to tending food, plant, and ecosystems– this is a pivotal moment to embrace fire for our communities.
Twyla PiatoteModeratorNez Perce
Dirk CharleyMono/Yokut
Saxon ThomasNisenan
Matthew MooreIndigenous Futures Society
Sadie HampshireNisenan | Washoe
Hon. Diana AlmendarizMaidu/Wintun/Hupa/Yurok
Biography
Matthew Moore is a respected member of the Nisenan and Washoe communities. Matthew brings decades of experience in cultural preservation, Indigenous guardianship, and wildfire response and emergency services.
Matthew previously served as the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the United Auburn Indian Community, where he led efforts to protect sacred landscapes, integrate traditional ecological knowledge into land management, and ensure the ongoing protection of cultural heritage. He was also a firefighter and has over 30 years of experience conducting cultural burning (“Good Fire”) and leading emergency response and preparedness initiatives, Matthew is a recognized leader in Indigenous preservation. He is also a native plant traditionalist, working to revitalize and protect culturally significant plant knowledge and practices.
Matthew guides our Indigenous-led Land and Water Guardians and Emergency Preparedness programs. He collaborates with with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and community leaders to ensure that programs reflect and respect traditional values while fostering long-term sustainability. His work includes integrating Indigenous practices into watershed protection, cultural mapping, cultural burning, and sacred site stewardship, as well as developing initiatives for intergenerational knowledge transfer and land-based education.
As Program Executive, Matthew guides The Sierra Fund’s work in Indigenous-led land guardianship, cultural preservation, and community resilience. He collaborates with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and community leaders to ensure that programs reflect and respect traditional values while fostering long-term sustainability. His leadership strengthens our commitment to integrating Indigenous practices into watershed protection, cultural mapping, cultural burning, and sacred site stewardship, as well as developing initiatives for intergenerational knowledge transfer and land-based education.
Matthew has been a key participant in regional efforts such as the Sierra Nevada Tribal Summit and watershed restoration projects, consistently advocating for policies that honor Indigenous perspectives. His leadership strengthens The Sierra Fund’s commitment to deepening partnerships with Indigenous communities and advancing a future where cultural and ecological resilience go hand in hand.
Matthew is a devoted husband, father, and uncle. He is also the proud servant of his grandson Rune.