Many words can be used to describe Harvey Seymour of Stz’uminus First Nation–inspiring…respected…honoured…speaker…councillor…and leader.

But one word suffices – ‘Producer’ – for his workmates at the Burleith log sort in Ladysmith Harbour. That word is on the back of his life vest when he’s out on the water aboard a sidewinder. And it’s on his chair in the lunchroom overlooking the Western Forest Products’ (WFP) operation.

It’s also the title of a video produced by WFP to mark the 50th anniversary of Harvey’s working life. The video has been viewed more than 14,000 times on Facebook with scores of comments marking the measure of the man.

“I started here on Oct 2, 1966,” Harvey explains in the film. “I was 18 years old then.

“Work here then was all on loose logs, flat. You had to sort logs by pike pole. Had to walk the logs.”

It was a risky job for a teenager; manhandling fresh cut logs, sorting them into booms before transport to local sawmills from Ladysmith to Cowichan Bay. But he handled the risks well.

Before boom boats existed, log drivers had the dangerous task of walking the logs on the water, sorting them with a pike pole and stacking them at the log lift. Today most of the work is done with a boom boat, a small tug-shaped craft also known as a sidewinder or log ‘bronc’.

Those boats were designed to speed up an often-dangerous job. They crash into and shuffle the logs for hours, herding them into place. With Harvey at the helm as a senior boat operator, things are always under control.

“It’s a big achievement for Harvey Seymour to work on the boom without a lost-time accident for 50 years,” WFP says. “Harvey Seymour is a special guy. Harvey has had a few bumps and bruises over the years, but he’s never lost time on the job. He’s an inspiration to many of us.”

Harvey is proud of his accident-free decades at the log sort.

“I’ve been injury free in all that time; no lost time. Safety is always first for us. If we see something unsafe, we won’t do it and if we need help, we get help. Especially with these big boats now. They move fast.”

Randy Hughes, WFP’s log sort supervisor, says the reason Harvey has lasted more than five decades is simple: “He looks after himself and never ever gets stressed out.”

Darren Good of Snuneymuxw is one of the workmates who respects his senior workmate.

“Harvey is a workhorse. He’ll go over and above to help guys out, even comes down to making coffee. He’s always willing and ready to step up to the plate. I hope I’m like that at his age.”

Chief John Elliott also praises Harvey, both for his work for WFP and in the community.

“He’s a quiet leader, but when he speaks, the room gets quiet. Everybody listens because usually when Harvey says something, it’s meaningful, it’s important and it usually comes from his heart or from his experience in life.

“He’s engaged in everything and that’s a true leader in our community.”

Harvey says he has been thinking about retirement, but as long as he stays healthy, he’ll be aboard the sidewinder every working day.

At the end of the film is a perfect line that sums up the worker’s longevity —‘Thanks Harvey. You’re an inspiration.’

Well respected

Comments from relations, friends and even strangers appeared after the video was first shared by Western Forest Products. Here are just a few of them:
•    Roberta Seymour – My Dad is truly an amazing role model, always there for family and our community… Our hero.
•    Paula G Norris – Not only a special person for the work environment, but for all of our communities as well.
•    Stella Johnny – Thank you Harvey for being a great role model. Safety and being supportive in all your
actions was modeled at all times! As for language… next step would be appreciated from many! Your leadership there is equally valued!
•    Qwulis Wilson – Way to go Harvey for 50 years of work and inspiration. You are a good man, a well loved and respected person. I love you my cousin Harvey… You are everything.
•    Mark Arden – Oct. 2nd, 1966, was my first Birthday! Although I did not move to Saltair until a few days before Oct. 2nd, 1969, I spent many hours as a child watching the Men of Burlieth Arm wrangling up bundles deposited in the harbour by the log barges. I still enjoy this today. And now I feel a strong connection to this Fine Man who is an inspiration to us all!