WELLNESS ARTIST Matt Archer | Eyes in the Sky

WELLNESS ARTIST

MATT ARCHER

KEALY DONALDSON

All photos © Matthew Archer

“It’s cold and dark but a sunny day today!”

reports Matt Archer when we get chatting about his current work, and what’s happening in the Great White North. He lives in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, and works in Restorative Justice Management. He's also a photographer. "Living in the North has its challenges," he says, "but it's still very rewarding.” Originally from Ottawa, Archer experienced the Canadian cold long before NWT.

Covid has had a huge impact on northern communities, and Indigenous Preservation is a top priority. With an initial Covid shutdown of four months in 2019, NWT saw zero cases of Covid. Then border controls were relaxed, and NWT was hit with the next wave. “It’s simply an epic wild card with transmission rates,” Archer says. “There are six ICU beds in Yellowknife. No hospitals, nursing stations only. Mental health is definitely on high priority but at 20,000 people, it is still very hard on the community with the shutdowns. Indigenous communities are being protected with the highest regard—keeping knowledge keepers and elders, along with all community members, as safe as possible.”

Recently, Archer was lucky enough to land a very unique photography booking for a wedding ceremony at an iconic local location, Pilots Monument. The event hosted traditional singers, dancers and a running group. “It was an honour to be a part of this special day,” Archer says. In addition to his community and event photography, Archer has a very rare look at the Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights.

When discussing photographing the Aurora, Archer’s passion crosses into focus. “Glorious, beautiful reflections coming off the lakes; weather patterns change heavily through September and October… the Aurora returns in mid to late September. There were only a couple opportunities during the fall between the weather systems to catch clear skies. That’s when everything else fades into the background.” He is completely in the moment, saying “Stop, take a breath and steal the moment — take it with you.”

Travelling is therapeutic for Archer; the trauma-based information he deals with daily, at his regular job, is hard to let go of. So Archer tries to journey and travel as part of his regular pattern to release the tensions and emotions of day to day dealings.

Archer’s favourite experiences during photography field work is the wildlife; he came face to face with a bison - bull male - pulled out his camera and thanked

the bison, then moved along and got out of his way. Archer reminds himself and others: "Don’t forget to get out from behind the camera and take in the moment with your own eyes." He has forgotten this at times, and now focuses to be cognisant and in the moment.

“Other important moments are failures,” he continues. “If you can believe it.” He was out taking photographs of the Aurora in September, with no snow on the ground and skies were clear. “It felt like the perfect set up." In the moment, he was inspired to make a contribution.He wanted to stage shots with a red dress to amplift MMIWG; but he started shooting and it wasn’t turning out. It was a very difficult shot to accomplish, and then the wind picked up and cracked his new camera lens he had recently bought for this shoot. It’s still on his goal list to complete this shot. He realized through reconciliation work that as a Caucasion, what he can contribute is through his art, through his eyes, drawing attention to important messages that are neglected.

In this moment, Archer was reminded that it definitely takes perseverance to complete some of these ideas; especially in the tundra during the cold, wintery season.

Driving through Banff and Jasper, Archer literally caught a fox running down the road with dinner in her mouth. “Simple opportunities. Remembering to seize the day, and the opportunities that present themselves,” was the message Archer walked away with after catching this amazing shot. Walking around Jasper, taking in the natural offerings of Northern Alberta, he was told to see the mountain goats and was able to connect with locals who referenced a great viewing location. He got a bit close to some baby goats and the mother was there and began to warn Archer to keep his distance.

The future is focused on a couple of bucket shots—notably the Salmon Glacier, near Stewart and Hyder along the BC/Alaska border, of the Milky Way coming down into the glacier. Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon are also on Archer’s list. He truly fell in love with Vancouver Island this past summer, and is planning to come back to spend more time taking in the gorgeous offerings of all the vast areas to explore and experience: the Broken Islands, Strathcona Park and Storm Season on the West coast of the Island, along with other amazing locations right here in our backyard!