Category: Events

In 2016 David and his wife Patricia began to outline what at some point will be a book about his life history (the “life-history” method is an anthropological approach to biographies). A second project is an art book with pictures of David’s baskets, canoes, designs and educational programs. Both books are in their first steps and there is still a long way to go. These projects are a great challenge in Patricia’s career. While her previous research projects have been at the service of indigenous communities in general, with these books Patricia’s anthropological expertise will be, first, at the service of her family, especially Natanis, Sabattus and Tobias, who lost their father in a early age. She believe that David’s life and legacy has much to offer to our societies. His personal, artistic, educational and political life can -certainly- help to understand and discuss very complex issues that concern Indigenous Peoples in North and South America. Confronting and questioning stereotypes, colonialism, marginalization, health problems, exploitation of resources in indigenous territories and the devastating effects of capita-lism, are some of the topics that crossed David’s path to become a canoe maker.

Currently, a group of international filmmakers supported by the renowned Bolivian foundation UKAMAO is in the process of creating a documentary about David’s organization’s (Nulanketutmonen Nkhitakumikumon) struggles against Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) in Maine. This group of filmmakers is composed by awarded productor and professor of the Escuela Andina de Cinematografia en Bolivia, Milton Guzman, also Director at CEFREC – IRIS PRODUCCIONES; Lorena Ayala Rocabado, Psicologist, Flamenco dancer and student of the Escuela Andina de Cinematografia; Dr. Marie Eve Monette, Assistant Professor of Latin American Cinema at the University of Alabama; and Galen Hecht who studied Film and Documentary at the College of the Atlantic. Also, Dr. Patricia Ayala Rocabado, David’s widow, collaborate in this film.

Saturday April 21, 2018

The Grand Theatre, in partnership with the Beth Wright Cancer Resource Center and the Abbe Museum, is proud to present “Rhythms of the Heart”, a film by Maine filmmaker Thom Willey. This is the story of David Moses Bridges, a Passamaquoddy craftsman who specialized in birchbark canoe making and basketry. David balanced his family life, artwork, and culture while undergoing treatment for a life-threatening illness. His legacy is one of perseverance, tradition, and passion.

David was a dear friend and trustee to the Abbe Museum. He was a natural educator, who used his empathy and patience to promote the importance of traditional art and knowledge. The Abbe is proud to open our collections for this special evening to share examples of David’s artwork.

This fundraiser aims to celebrate David’s life and legacy, while offering hope and inspiration to all who attend. Ticket prices are $25 (+cash bar) and include food, film, and a curated exhibit of David’s art. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Beth Wright Cancer Resource Center, an organization supported by David and his family.