Portraits of Labrador | Photo by Monika Rumbolt |Matthew Crewe

Living in the mining town of Labrador City, Matthew Crewe has always had a connection to the outdoors.

Growing up, his favorite memories are of him and his father walking along the glassy lakes and rivers in search of the perfect place to cast their lines. It was only when he became of age, that he slung a shotgun across his back, and shuffled through the powder-like snow in search of Ptarmigan.

“There’s something incredible about being out in the woods. Here I feel at peace, like I can relax and not worry about the stresses of everyday life. That’s why I tell people there’s more to hunting and trapping then what’s portrayed in social media. I can remember the first time I shot a bird, although I was excited , there was a bit of sadness that came over me. I think all hunters feel that, but that’s what gives us humility. I’ve come to respect nature, and understand that we are the first line of defense in conservation. We see everything that happens in the woods, and can quickly raise red flags if there’s something wrong. Hunting has provided fresh healthy meat to our communities for years, and as the next generation it is our duty to make sure that these woods will be allowed to flourish so that they may provide for us for years to come.”

The Tamarack Camera Club has partnered with the Labrador Institute on a photography project called The Humans of Labrador. Some of these photos will be published here as Portraits of Labrador.  The series was launched with this photo by John Graham.