People

Chief Pal’nakwalagalls Wakas Douglas Cranmer was born in Alert Bay, British Columbia. He was a Kwakwak’wakw carver and artist whose early formal instruction in traditional art came at the hand of Chief Naapankam Mungo Martin, master carver, in the mid-1950s. Doug worked for many years as a carving teacher at ‘Ksan in Hazelton, BC, and taught many prominent artists about traditional Northwest Coast form line and carving techniques. He also taught at the Vancouver Centennial Museum and in his hometown at Alert Bay. Doug taught many of the present-day Kwakwak’wakw artists and carvers.

Bill Cranmer is hereditary Chief and brother of Doug. He has long taken an active interest in the cultural continuance of the ‘Namgis, and a personal interest in the repatriation of Kwakwak’wakw objects from museums, which includes items taken from their father Dan’s 1921 potlatch. Bill is also deeply invested in the economic security of the ‘Namgis and has spearheaded a number of business and environmental ventures in Alert Bay around such things as salmon farming. Wild salmon have a particular significance for the ‘Namgis, having sustained their way of life for centuries.

Kwakwak’wakw artist Kevin Cranmer was born in Alert Bay, British Columbia, but has lived all but four years of his life in Victoria. His credits include a 36-foot totem pole carved for the closing ceremonies at the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland, New Zealand. Kevin is an active participant within his own cultural continuance. His artistic works not only display the unique Kwakwak’wakw traditions but also act as keys to its preservation. Kevin came over to Salford in 2010 to work on the pole and again in 2018 to continue its restoration.

Bruce Alfred is a Kwakwak’wakw artist whose career spans 40 years. He was apprentice to Doug Cranmer, assisting on many of his monumental commissions over the years. He was born in 1950 and was raised in Alert Bay, although he currently lives in Chilliwack. Bruce is regarded as one of the premier artists of his nation. Like Kevin, Bruce worked on the pole back in 2010 and again in 2018.

Edgar Cranmer is Doug Cranmer’s great nephew. He worked on the pole during the first restoration visit in 2010. Edgar is basically a legend in Manchester.

Councillor Coen has been involved with the totem pole project ever since he discovered it had been removed from Salford. He tracked the pole down to a storage facility in Felixstowe, where it had been taken by OOCL, the company that took over Manchester Liners. They agreed to return to the city. Steve has worked tirelessly ever since for its restoration and re-dedication as an iconic part of Salford’s exceptional heritage.