Posts | Go Sayward

SRD Indigenous Emergency Services Liaison

by Go Sayward News Desk | Apr 24, 2026 00:56 | Jobs

The Strathcona Regional District is seeking an Indigenous Emergency Services Liaison to help strengthen relationships and collaboration between the Regional District, local First Nations, and Indigenous communities in the area.

This important role will focus on building partnerships, supporting emergency preparedness and response initiatives, and ensuring Indigenous perspectives, knowledge, and priorities are meaningfully integrated into regional emergency management planning. The successful candidate will act as a key connection between Indigenous communities, emergency service providers, and regional government.

Responsibilities include fostering strong working relationships with First Nations and Indigenous organizations, supporting culturally informed emergency planning and response, facilitating communication and collaboration during emergency events, and advancing reconciliation through partnership and shared decision-making.

The ideal candidate will have post-secondary education in a related field such as Indigenous Studies, Emergency Management, Public Administration, or Community Development, along with relevant experience in Indigenous relations, emergency services, program coordination, or community engagement. A strong understanding of Indigenous governance, culture, and emergency management practices is essential.

This full-time position offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in supporting community resilience and emergency preparedness throughout the region.

Qualified applicants are encouraged to submit a cover letter and resume, quoting the competition number, by the specified closing date. A criminal record check will be required for the successful candidate. Preference may be given to applicants who self-identify as Indigenous, in accordance with applicable legislation and organizational commitments to reconciliation and inclusion.

Learn more at the SRD website.

Settlers For Salmon River – Carving A Life From The Wilderness

by Go Sayward News Desk | Apr 20, 2026 02:17 | History

In the early 1920s, the Salmon River Valley was still very much a frontier—remote, rugged, and full of promise. The photographs from this era capture more than just landscapes and homesteads; they reveal the determination of the settlers who chose to build a life in one of northern Vancouver Island’s most isolated regions.

Arriving at what was then a sparsely developed outpost, these early pioneers found themselves surrounded by dense forest, powerful rivers, and limited access to the outside world. The community that would become Sayward had only recently taken shape, evolving from its origins as Port Kusam at the mouth of the Salmon River . For newcomers, the journey in was often as challenging as the life that followed—travel by boat, rough trails, and unpredictable weather were part of daily reality.

The images show modest homesteads carved out of thick timber. Clearing land was the first and most demanding task. Towering Douglas fir and cedar had to be felled by hand, stumps burned or pulled, and the soil slowly coaxed into productivity. It was backbreaking work, but it laid the foundation for farms that would sustain families and support a growing settlement.

Yet these settlers were not entering an empty land. The Salmon River area had long been home to the K’ómoks First Nation, whose presence and deep connection to the land predated European settlement by generations . By the time many settlers arrived, the nearby village had been abandoned, but its history remained an important and often overlooked part of the region’s story .

Life for settlers demanded resilience and cooperation. The photos hint at a close-knit community where neighbours relied on one another for survival—sharing tools, labour, and knowledge. Supplies were scarce, and isolation meant that self-sufficiency wasn’t just valued, it was essential. Gardens, livestock, fishing, and logging all played a role in daily life.

Logging, in particular, would soon become a defining industry in the valley. What began as small-scale clearing for farms gradually expanded into larger forestry operations that shaped the economic future of the region . The same forests that posed an initial barrier would become a source of livelihood for generations to come.

There is a quiet strength in these images—families standing beside rough-hewn buildings, fields still dotted with stumps, and tools that speak to long days of labour. They tell a story not just of hardship, but of optimism. These settlers believed in the land and in their ability to make a home there.

Today, as we look back on these moments from a century ago, it’s easy to forget just how much effort it took to establish a community in such a place. The Salmon River settlers were not just residents—they were builders of a future, laying the groundwork for the Sayward Valley we know today.

Their legacy lives on in the landscape, the stories, and the enduring spirit of the region.

Life On The Edge Of Wilderness – A Pioneer’s First Year At Salmon River In The 1920s

by Go Sayward News Desk | Apr 20, 2026 01:56 | History

In the early 1920s, the remote banks of the Salmon River near present-day Sayward were not yet the quiet, scenic destination many recognize today. Instead, they were the frontier—rugged, isolated, and filled with both promise and hardship for the first wave of settlers trying to carve out a life in the dense forests of northern Vancouver Island.

A newspaper account by Rene Harding, preserved by the Sayward Historical Society, offers a vivid glimpse into what that first year of settlement was really like.

A Land of Opportunity—and Challenge

The Salmon River Valley drew settlers with its fertile flats and towering timber. By the late 1800s and early 1900s, the region had already begun transitioning from a trading stop and Indigenous village site into a budding resource community fueled largely by logging and natural resource extraction.

But arriving in the 1920s meant stepping into a place where infrastructure was nearly nonexistent. Early pioneers had to build everything from scratch—homes, trails, and access routes—often using only hand tools and raw determination.

The Harding account describes a year defined by constant labour. Clearing land for farming was grueling work, with dense forest and heavy undergrowth slowing progress at every turn. Each acre gained was hard-won, and every structure built represented weeks of effort.

Isolation and Ingenuity

Life at Salmon River was marked by isolation. Transportation was limited, and connections to the outside world were infrequent. Supplies had to be carefully managed, and settlers relied heavily on one another for support.

Improvisation became a daily necessity. Families learned to adapt quickly—constructing shelters, sourcing food locally, and making do with what little they had. Hunting, fishing, and foraging were not hobbies, but essential survival skills.

Despite these hardships, there was a sense of optimism. The settlers believed in the long-term potential of the land, even when early conditions were harsh.

Weather, Work, and Resilience

The first year tested settlers in every season. Wet coastal weather, dense bush, and physical exhaustion created constant challenges. Yet the Harding account highlights a recurring theme: resilience.

Progress may have been slow, but it was steady. Gardens began to take shape, homes became more secure, and the beginnings of a community started to emerge.

This perseverance reflects a broader pattern seen across early Vancouver Island settlements—small, determined groups of people laying the groundwork for future generations.

Foundations of a Community

What makes this account especially compelling is how it captures a moment before Sayward became a structured community. At the time, the area was still evolving from its early identity as Port Kusam, a small settlement tied to trade, forestry, and river access.

The experiences described in that first year would ultimately contribute to the development of the Salmon River Valley and surrounding communities, helping shape the region’s identity as a forestry-driven hub in the decades that followed.

Remembering the Pioneers

Today, it’s easy to overlook the sheer effort required to establish communities in remote areas like Salmon River. Roads, services, and modern conveniences now connect the region—but they are built on the foundations laid by those early settlers.

Accounts like Rene Harding’s serve as a reminder of that legacy. They preserve not just the facts of history, but the lived experiences—the struggles, hopes, and determination—that defined life in the Sayward Valley a century ago.

Their story is one of endurance, adaptability, and belief in the land—qualities that continue to shape the community to this day.

Steam, Steel, And Timber – Rail Logging On The Salmon River

by Go Sayward News Desk | Apr 20, 2026 01:34 | History

In this striking historical photograph from the Salmon River, a small steam locomotive carefully crosses a rugged wooden trestle, its crew perched on the engine as it inches forward over the river below. The image captures more than just a moment—it tells the story of an industry that helped shape coastal communities and the landscape of northern Vancouver Island.

Rail logging was once the backbone of the forest economy in this region. Before modern highways and logging trucks, companies relied on narrow-gauge railways to penetrate deep into dense forests. These temporary rail lines were often built quickly and economically, using locally sourced timber to construct trestles like the one shown here. The zig-zagging bracing beneath the tracks reveals the ingenuity—and urgency—of early logging operations, where speed often took priority over permanence.

The locomotive itself is a compact but powerful steam engine, designed for tight turns and rough terrain. Crews worked long hours in challenging conditions, navigating steep grades, unstable tracks, and unpredictable weather. Safety standards were minimal by today’s measures, and crossings like this one required both skill and nerve.

At the Salmon River, rail logging opened access to vast stands of old-growth timber. Logs were hauled from the cutblocks to booming grounds or mills, feeding a growing demand for lumber across British Columbia and beyond. These operations were often temporary—once an area was logged, the rails would be pulled up and moved deeper into the forest, leaving little behind but stumps and stories.

Yet, despite their transient nature, these railways played a lasting role in the development of communities like Sayward. They brought jobs, infrastructure, and a connection to the wider world. The echoes of steam whistles and clattering rails may be gone, but their impact remains embedded in the region’s history.

Today, images like this offer a window into that era—one of grit, innovation, and transformation. The Salmon River crossing stands as a reminder of how far logging practices have come, and how deeply they are woven into the identity of coastal British Columbia.

Building A Lifeline – The Story Of Sayward’s 1918 Swing Bridge

by Go Sayward News Desk | Apr 20, 2026 01:20 | History

In the early 20th century, life in the remote communities of northern Vancouver Island was defined by isolation, ingenuity, and determination. A fascinating glimpse into that era comes from a Times Colonist newspaper account by Rene Harding, preserved by the Sayward Historical Society. Her recounting of a swing bridge built around 1918 captures a pivotal moment in the development of the Salmon River valley.

A Community Divided by Water

At the time, the Salmon River was both a lifeline and a barrier. It supported logging operations and transportation, but crossing it was a constant challenge for settlers, workers, and supplies moving through the rugged landscape. Without a reliable bridge, travel depended on boats, makeshift crossings, or risky seasonal routes.

The need for a permanent crossing became increasingly urgent as logging activity expanded and more people arrived in the region. Communities like Sayward and nearby camps were growing, but infrastructure lagged behind.

Engineering Meets Necessity

The solution came in the form of a swing bridge—a practical and widely used design in Canada during that era. Swing bridges could pivot open to allow boats, logs, and river traffic to pass through, then close again for foot or rail travel.

For a logging region like Sayward, this design made perfect sense. Rivers were not just obstacles; they were highways for floating timber. A fixed bridge would have blocked that movement, but a swing span allowed both land and water traffic to coexist.

Building Against the Odds

Harding’s account highlights the sheer effort required to construct such a structure in a remote, undeveloped area. Materials had to be transported over long distances, often by water or rough trails. Labour was intensive, and conditions were unforgiving.

This was not just a construction project—it was a feat of coordination and perseverance. Workers had to contend with weather, terrain, and limited equipment, all while building a structure that needed to be both strong and adaptable.

More Than a Bridge

When completed, the swing bridge did more than span the Salmon River—it transformed daily life.

Improved access: Travel between settlements became faster and safer.
Economic growth: Logging operations could expand more efficiently.
Community connection: Families, workers, and goods could move with greater ease.

In many ways, the bridge symbolized a turning point. It marked the transition from isolation to connection, from temporary solutions to lasting infrastructure.

A Lasting Legacy

Today, the original 1918 swing bridge may no longer stand, but its impact remains part of Sayward’s story. Through historical records and images preserved by the Sayward Historical Society, we can still appreciate the ingenuity and resilience that defined the region’s early development.

The story of the swing bridge is a reminder that even modest structures can play an outsized role in shaping a community. Built out of necessity, it became a symbol of progress—linking not just two sides of a river, but a growing region to its future.

Life and Labor at Kelsey Bay Logging Camp 2 (Circa 1950s)

by Go Sayward News Desk | Apr 19, 2026 04:45 | History

Tucked into the rugged landscape of northern Vancouver Island, Kelsey Bay Logging Camp 2 offers a fascinating glimpse into a time when the logging industry shaped both the land and the lives of those who worked it. The black-and-white image captures more than just a settlement—it reveals a story of resilience, industry, and community carved out of the wilderness.

A Camp Built from the Forest Itself

In the 1950s, logging camps like Camp 2 were often constructed quickly and efficiently using the very timber they harvested. Rows of modest wooden buildings—bunkhouses, cookhouses, and workshops—formed the backbone of daily life. These structures were practical rather than decorative, designed to withstand harsh weather and serve the essential needs of workers who spent long days in physically demanding conditions.

The surrounding landscape in the photo shows the aftermath of intensive logging: felled trees, scattered logs, and cleared land stretching toward the horizon. This was the raw reality of mid-century forestry—an industry driven by demand and powered by manpower, machinery, and determination.

The Rhythm of Camp Life

Life in Camp 2 followed a strict rhythm. Workers rose early, often before dawn, fueled by hearty meals prepared in the camp kitchen. Days were spent felling trees, operating equipment, or transporting logs, while evenings offered brief moments of rest and camaraderie.

Despite the tough conditions, these camps fostered a strong sense of community. Workers relied on one another not only for safety but also for companionship in an otherwise isolated environment. Stories, laughter, and shared experiences helped build bonds that often lasted long after the logging days were over.

Isolation and Connection

The image hints at the camp’s remoteness—dense forest and mountains encircle the settlement, emphasizing how cut off it was from urban centers. Access was typically limited to rough logging roads, rail lines, or coastal routes. Supplies had to be brought in, and communication with the outside world was minimal.

Yet, even in isolation, these camps were hubs of activity and productivity. They played a crucial role in fueling British Columbia’s booming forestry industry, contributing to economic growth and infrastructure development across the region.

A Changing Landscape

Looking back, scenes like this also invite reflection on environmental impact. The widespread clearing visible in the photograph contrasts sharply with modern forestry practices, which increasingly emphasize sustainability and conservation. The 1950s marked a period when efficiency often took precedence over environmental considerations—a perspective that has evolved significantly over time.

Preserving the Story

Today, images of places like Kelsey Bay Logging Camp 2 serve as valuable historical records. They document not only an industry but a way of life—one defined by hard work, ingenuity, and adaptation to a challenging environment.

This snapshot from the past reminds us how communities once thrived in remote corners of the world, built on the strength of shared purpose and the resources of the land around them.