Born in Alert Bay, Vancouver

Thomas Bruce, also known as Tom, is a member of the Kwagiult First Nation, originating from Alert Bay in British Columbia.

Thomas was part of a team of carvers, led by the Namgis master carver Rande Cook. They worked on a 25 ft totem pole that was shipped to the Museum of Volkenkunde in Leiden, the Netherlands.

Besides beautiful panel and mask carving, large pole-carving is nothing new for Bruce, who has previously worked with his uncle, master carver Don Swanvik, Beau Dick, Marcus Alfred and others.