Location: Fredericton Playhouse
Date: 16 March 2023
Time: 7:30 pm
Cost: Pay What You Will (must book seats in advance)
Artistic Fraud of Newfoundland
Between Breaths is a one-act play telling the true story of Dr. Jon Lien, well-known in Newfoundland as the Whale Man. Lien pioneered techniques for rescuing whales trapped in fishing nets. Often risking his very life in the water with the formidable and frightened animals, he would seek to earn their trust as much as the fishermen’s. His ability to free more than 500 whales, while doing as little damage to the fishing gear as possible, won the hard-earned respect of the fishermen. Despite his risky work, Lien’s biggest fight came at the hands of a lengthy illness. Before he passed away in 2010, his body was slowly conquered by immobility and dementia.
Between Breaths jumps time backwards, from the final moments of Lien’s life – in a wheelchair and dealing with brain damage – to his very first whale intervention. As his life becomes further and further confined, his mind stretches itself in memories of release and salvation.
Bay of Fundy Conservation Panel
Following the play, we will be hosting a panel discussion with Lillian Mitchell, Executive Director of the Fundy North Fisherman’s Association, and Matt Abbott, the Fundy BayKeeper, to learn more about ongoing conservation efforts in the Bay of Fundy!
Lillian Mitchell has spent much of her professional life working with fishing communities both within Canada and internationally on issues of marine conservation governance. As the executive director of Fundy North Fishermen's Association, she represents inshore independent owner operator harvesters in Southwestern New Brunswick with the goal of stewarding sustainable fisheries and fishing livelihoods that are so integral to this region.
Matt Abbott is the Fundy Baykeeper and Marine Conservation Director with the Conservation Council of New Brunswick. Matt works out of CCNB’s marine conservation office in St. Andrews. The Fundy Baykeeper works for the Conservation Council to defend the public’s right to a healthy Bay of Fundy. This right is inherent in laws written to protect the marine environment and the species that inhabit it. Too often, however, these laws are not enforced. Part investigator, scientist, lawyer, advocate and educator, the Fundy Baykeeper’s top priority is to make sure environmental laws are enforced as citizens expect them to be.
