He serves as the tribal historic preservation officer for the Passamaquoddy tribe, where he works with both the U.S. and Canadian governments on the protection of culturally significant sites, artifacts and knowledge.
[1][6] In this capacity, he successfully introduced legislation in 2000 to change offensive names, which included more than 25 places in Maine called "Squaw Mountain.
[10] In addition to running the Passamaquoddy tribal museum, Soctomah contributed to the Downeast Heritage Center's second biggest exhibit in Calais, Maine, called "People of the Dawn."
Displays include replicas of local petroglyphs, some dating more than 3,000 years, one depicting a 17th-century sailing vessel, probably Champlain's, which must have moored in Machias Bay within view of the artist.
Lifetime Achievement Award - Honors Donald's whose work has significantly contributed to the preservation and understanding of indigenous cultural heritage.