The land that would come to be the communities of Wabush and Labrador City is located within a rich trench of iron ore that was first explored by A.P. Low in 1896. In the 1930’s, ore deposits were more thoroughly examined and with the development of a railway from Knob Lake to Sept-Iles in the 1950’s a gateway to the trench for the mining industry was created. “It is our chance,” Smallwood said of Labrador’s resources, “to stand on our own feet, to do something ourselves.”
Labrador West has evolved into a thriving sub-artic region, home to fourth and some fifth generation mining families. The region has the best of both the modern and natural worlds. We live the mainstream modern life but, because of our geographic location, we are surrounded by amazing colour and splendor. And the great hospitality of our close-knit communities is second to none. There is almost too much to love about Labrador West.
Total population in 2012 (Statistics Canada) was 9,225. Labrador City accounts for a majority of the populations with 7,367 residents while the remaining 1,861 residents live in Wabush. The region has just over 2,900 families in private households with and average of two children at home per family.
And we are young! The median age is just 37 years old. The region does have an increasing senior’s population and large indigenous, francophone and Filipino population, making Labrador West a cluster of cultural diversity.
