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