Kevin Daniel Cranmer was born in June of 1967 in Alert Bay, British Columbia. He is a multi-generation descendant of Kwa’kwaka’wakw peoples and he also is a descendant of Tlingit Indians. His illustrious heritage includes descent from the Cranmer, Flanders, Hunt and Bruce families.

Kevin has participated in large cooperative projects, including making a forty foot pole which is in Stanley Park, Vancouver, a thirty foot pole which is on display in the Museum of Civilization in Ottawa, and a thirty-six foot pole that was carved for the closing ceremonies in the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland.

The bumblebee mask is also known as “The Scratcher”. These masks were traditionally worn during the winter ceremonial potlatches. It was often the first dance that a child could participate in and these masks were known to have been worn by children.

The Bee dancers often provided comedic relief as they buzzed around the participants in the ceremony. If you were “stung” by a dancer, you were expected to give a small gift to the child.