David Moses Bridges facts for kids

David Moses Bridges (May 17, 1962 – January 20, 2017) was a Native American artist and environmentalist. He was famous for making traditional birchbark canoes and baskets. David was a member of the Passamaquoddy tribe, living on the Passamaquoddy Pleasant Point Reservation. He worked hard to protect tribal environmental rights. He also helped start Mulankeyutmonen Nkihtakmikon, a group that works to keep the Wabanaki culture alive.

David learned to build canoes from his great-grandfather, Sylvester Gabriel. He learned how to make baskets from the women in his family.

Who Was David Moses Bridges?

David Moses Bridges was born in Portland, Maine, on May 17, 1962. He mostly grew up with the Sipayik Native Community in South Portland. During summers, he spent a lot of time with his great-grandfather, Sylvester Gabriel. David’s family included his parents, three siblings, and many relatives. Many of his relatives were women, and they taught him how to make baskets.

After finishing high school in 1980, David moved to San Francisco, California. He lived there for ten years. He worked different jobs, like painting and counseling. He also explored many types of art. Sometimes, he would return home to be a camp counselor.

Learning Traditional Skills

When David moved back home, his great-grandfather taught him how to build canoes. These canoes were strong enough for rivers and bays. David also took classes with Steve Cayard. They even created workshops together for Native and non-Native communities. He also worked at boatyards.

David's great-grandfather introduced him to the birchbark canoe. Sadly, his great-grandfather was too old to build one with him. He passed away in 1972 when David was only 10 years old. But he left David special tools like a crooked knife and an awl.

From then on, David wanted to finish a canoe. He studied tribal traditions and boat making. He started making birchbark canoes to keep this old tradition alive. He taught students of all ages how to make them. He also gave presentations at universities and museums.

His Family Life

In 1994, David and his partner, Jessica Francis, moved to Sipayik. They started a family and had David’s first son, Tobias. Later, David married Patricia Ayala Rocabado. They had two more sons, Sebastian and Natanis.

When his first son was four, David began studying history. He went to the University of Maine at Machias. David held workshops on building birch canoes. He and his wife also gave presentations at conferences. They spoke at universities and cultural places in North and South America.

David was 54 years old when he was diagnosed with sinus cancer. He passed away on January 20, 2017. His eldest son, Tobias, continued his work. Tobias joined a canoe project with Steve Cayard and Patricia. Patricia also continued her parents' work in indigenous archaeology. She started working on an art book and a film about David.

What Kind of Art Did He Make?

David Moses Bridges was known for his beautiful and traditional artworks. He used natural materials from the land.

The Amazing Birchbark Canoe

Traditional Birchbark Canoe. This canoe is at the Abbe Museum, Bar Harbor. David Moses Bridges brought back the traditional birchbark canoe to show people that their Reservation did not disappear.

David’s ancestors made traditional birchbark canoes. His great-grandfather gave him the tools and materials. David wanted to build these canoes to keep the tradition alive. He wanted people to appreciate their ancestors' amazing creations.

These canoes had to be thin and light. This made them easy to carry after use. The materials needed were red cedar for supports and planks. They also used birchbark and spruce roots. A mix of bear fat and spruce sap made them waterproof. David said no special tools were needed, except a crooked knife.

Other Cool Artworks

David also made other artworks using birch bark.

• Birchbark Box: This box was made from birch bark and spruce root. David passed away before he could finish it. He wanted people to see the natural beauty of the bark itself.
• "Story Basket": David made this basket during a difficult time for his family. It shows his struggles to provide for them. The basket features scenes like his pregnant wife and child asking for food. It also shows David hunting moose and carrying a canoe. An ancestor is shown watching over the family.
• Knife Sheath: David created this knife sheath while working on other art. He often carried his knife. To avoid cutting himself, he made a sheath. He used birch bark and spruce roots, materials he was already working with.

Where Was His Art Shown?

David’s artworks were shown in many places.

• Abbe Museum in Bar Harbor, Maine.
• Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts (September 27, 2014 – September 20, 2015).
• Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair and Market, 2015.

Solo Exhibitions:

• Only Connect: Richard vanBuren & David Moses Bridges, Aucocisco Gallery, Portland, Maine (January 15, 2008 – March 1, 2008).

Group Exhibitions:

• Wabanaki Antiques Expo, May 9.
• Branching Out: Trees as Art, Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, Massachusetts (~2014).
• Maine Indian Basketry Exhibition, at Maine Fiberarts (May 5 – June 30, 2015). This show included many other talented artists.

Collections

David’s art is part of many museum collections.

• Eiteljorg (Indianapolis, IN)
• Downeast Heritage Museum (Calais, ME)
• Penobscot Marine Museum (Searsport, ME)
• Abbe Museum (Bar Harbor, ME)
• Hudson Museum (Orono, ME)
• Passamaquoddy Cultural Heritage Museum (Indian Township, ME)
• National Museum of the American Indian (New York, NY)

Awards and Recognition

David Moses Bridges received many awards for his work.

• Main Arts Commissions: Traditional Arts Fellow (highest honor in craft).
• 1997, 1998: Patrick Miranda Foundation.
• 2000: Maine Arts Commission, Master/Apprentice Award.
• 2004: Maine Boats and Harbors, Boat of the Year Award.
• 2005, 2006: First Peoples Fund, Community Spirit Award (national honor).
• 2007: Jennifer Easton Community Spirit Award honoree.
• 2007: Fund for Folklife Culture, Professional Development Grant.
• 2007: First Peoples Fund, Cultural Capital Fellow.
• 2008: Artists in Business Leadership Fellow, Cultural Capital Fellow.
• 2008: Eiteljorg Museum, Artist and Residence Fellowship.
• 2008: New England Foundation for the Arts.
• 2014: Santa Fe Indian Market, Honorable Mention.
• 2015: Heard Museum Indian Fair and Market, Basket Division, First place.
• 2017: Letter of tribute from the Maine Senate and House of Representatives.

His Lasting Legacy

After David’s death, his wife, Patricia Ayala Rocabado, created an artbook of his works. A documentary about his life, Rhythms of the Heart, was released in August 2017. It was made by Thom Willey. In 2019, authors Donald Soctomah and Jean Flahive released a book about him. It was called The Canoe Maker: David Moses Bridges, Passamaquoddy Birch Bark Artisan.

A scholarship has also been named after David Bridges. The David Moses Bridges Scholarship is given by the First Peoples Fund. This scholarship helps support the First Peoples Fund Cultural programs through the Maine Community Foundation.