David Moses Bridges

David Moses Bridges is a traditional artist, birch bark canoe maker, educator, community activist, and co-founder of Mulankeyutmonen Nkihtakmikon (We Take Care of the Homeland), a nonprofit organization committed to protecting and preserving Wabanaki original territories. David's birch bark skin canoes are built to match the traditional hull forms developed by his people, the Passamaquoddy, Penobscot and Malecite. While construction each canoe, he uses traditional methods of fastening and joining which is a technique where no nails, screws or other metal fasteners are used. David was taught traditional basketry techniques from his grandmother and makes basketry tools for the Wabanaki ash splint basketweavers in his region.

"As I work within our Wabanaki communities, I feel a deep connection with the past and I remind our young epople that this work is not mine alone...it was created by the land and our people." - David Moses Bridges

"David's canoes (his art) are based on a particular worldview that's not only uniquely Passamaquoddy, it is an expression that promises and speaks to Passamaquoddy cultural vitality and creativity." - Vera Francis, Nominator