Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation
Juried Artist since 2014

Bernie Mortz learned drum making as a boy from his uncle and has been making them his entire life. He makes high quality hand-made hand drums. Drums are one of the oldest and most important instruments to Native American music. The steady sound of beating one of his drums will move your spirit as you listen to the heartbeat of Mother Earth. Each rawhide drum is individually handmade with your choice of moose, deer or horse rawhide. Bernie makes the one and only drum you will ever want or need.
Bernie has also been carving wood his entire life. He makes war clubs with brass tack inlays, dance sticks, friendship bows and Snowsnakes. For those of you who are unfamiliar with snowsnakes, it is a winter snow sport.
Bernie is a member of the Nulhegan Abenaki Drum group and is is very active in the Abenaki community and does cultural programs in Vermont and New Hampshire.
Contact
Email: bdmortz@yahoo.com
Hand drums made by Bernie Mortz Back side of drum made by Bernie Mortz War clubs made by Bernie Mortz
Exhibits
2016
Parley and Protocol: Abenaki Diplomacy Past and Present. Fort Necessity National Battlefield, Farmington, PA.
2015
Parley and Protocol: Abenaki Diplomacy Past and Present. Lake Champlain Maritime Museum. Vergennes, VT.
2014
Traditional Sources, Contemporary Visions – Invitational Group Art Exhibit. Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Vergennes, VT
All My Relations: Faces and Effigies from the Native World – Invitational Group Art Exhibit, Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum, Warner, NH
Events & Demos
2013 Annual Native American Weekend, Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Vergennes, VT
2012 Annual Native American Weekend, Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Vergennes, VT
2011 Annual Native American Weekend, Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Vergennes, VT
2010 Annual Native American Weekend, Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Vergennes, VT
Affiliations
Vermont Abenaki Artists Association