Educational and Cultural Work

Since David came back to Maine from San Francisco in the beginning of 1990, he worked with Wabanaki communities providing educational workshops in the construction of full size, traditionally built canoes. With both children and adults, he provided educational workshops in the construction of birch-bark containers. Being acutely aware of the lack of information available to the novice builder in birch-bark container craft, David began collecting information from research institutions. The focus was to gather and make available information, locations, cultural provenance, construction details, and design motifs.

In David’s words:

My work at present is to continue my educational programs to our Wabanaki communities and to present this work to the broader community through artist residencies and hands on experience. The Wabanaki tradition offers many educational opportunities, history, use of raw materials and responsible stewardship of our lands and our planet are included in my programs. For members of my own community this work brings us into the world of our ancestors. Through this process we are once again engaged in our cultural heritage


David Moses Bridges, 2007

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Educational and Cultural Projects and Committees

2012-2017Abbe Museum Board Trustee: Executive Commitee, Native Advisory Board
2011-2016Wayneflete School; Portland ME. (children’s programs)
2011Peabody Essex Museum; Salem MA. (lecturer; cultural educator)
2011Damariscotta River Association; Damariscotta ME. (children’s programs)
2011-2016National Park Service, Bar Harbor; ME. (lecturer; cultural educator)
2010Damariscotta River Association; Damariscotta, ME. (domed wigwam project, children’s projects)
2010Bar Harbor Elementary School; Bar Harbor, ME. (children’s programs)
2010Passamaquoddy Nation; Beatrice Rafferty School, Perry, ME. (children’s programs)
2010-2016National Park Service; Acadia National Park, (cultural demonstrator)
2010Tides Institute, Passamaquoddy Nation: (children’s program)
2010Museo Archeologico; Universidad Mayor De San Simon: Cochabamba, Bolivia (lecture)
2009Salt Bay Center; Damariscotta ME. (adult programs)
2009Passamaquoddy Nation; Beatrice Rafferty School, Perry ME. (children’s program)
2009-2015Abbe Museum; Bar Harbor ME. (children’s and adult programs)
2009N.M.A.I. Smithsonian Institution; Washington D.C. (children’s program)
2008Eiteljorg Museum; Indianapolis, Indiana (artist in residence)
2008Indianapolis Arts Center; Indianapolis, IN. (adult program)
2008Boner Center, Indianapolis; IN. (senior citizens program)
2007-2010Commission Member, Maine Arts Commission
2006-2008Advisory Committee, New England Foundation for the Arts
2007Salt Bay Center; Damariscotta, ME. (children’s programs)
2001-2003Maine Native American History and Culture; Washington County Technical College, Eastport, ME.
1996-2017Member, Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance