Welcome to my website, my name is Herman P. Bruce Jr. I was born in Alert Bay , British Columbia , Canada , I started to learn about my Indian heritage at a very young age. I started carving masks under the guidance of master carver Beau Dick at the age of 15. My artistic skills began with learning how to make and utilize the traditional hand tools such as knives and elbow adzes.

The foundation of my wood carving skills are the strong oral teachings of the Kwagiulth people, which are past on through the skillful hands of master to apprentice.

The Kwagiulth people are world renown for their totem poles, canoes, masks and the ever popular Potlatch. The potlatch is a ceremony that is practiced by the Northwest Natives each and every year, this includes Native people of the Northwest of Washington State, Vancouver Island , British Columbia and Canada : “ The Potlatch is an arena for utilizing the beautiful carvings for preserving the continuing Northwest culture, as well as educating their youth”. The winter ceremonies preserve a rich culture that is learned orally through the elders of the many different Coastal Tribes that surround the USA and Canada.

I decided to learn as much as possible about the numerous masks and totem poles as well as familiarize myself with the language of the Kwagiulth people. The people of the Kwagiulth Nation practice their Native tongue even today. The language is part of their school curriculum.

I hope you enjoy my website, and please take a look at my gallery!
If you like my work please contact me.

Herman P. Bruce Jr.
80 SE Skalapin Ln.
Shelton,WA 98584
Phone: 360-427-3473
e-mail: herman@nwnativecarvings.com
Site design by: Sampsons Webdesign