Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation

Artist Bio

Bernie Mortz  learned drum making  as a boy from his uncle and has been mking 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. 

Bernies 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 Nulhrgan 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

Backside of Drum

Exhibits

2016

Parley and Protocol: Abenaki Dipolomacy Past and Present. Fort Necessity National Battlefield, Farmington, PA.

2015

Parley and Protocol: Abenaki Dipolomacy 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, Juried Artist since 2014