Lifelines – The fascinating history of Canada's East Coast FisheriesHull, Quebec, April 5, 2001 — Starting on April 6, 2001, the Canadian Museum of Civilization will present Lifelines: Canada's East Coast Fisheries ( http://www.civilization.ca/hist/lifelines/liintroe.html ), the largest, most detailed exhibition on fisheries ever designed by Canadian museums. Lifelines has been produced by the Canadian Museum of Civilization in collaboration with the Newfoundland Museum, the New Brunswick Museum, the P.E.I. Museum and Heritage Foundation, and the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. Covering multiple aspects of the fisheries of Canada's East Coast, from pre-contact Aboriginal fishing right up to the current problems of depleted stocks, Lifelines will give visitors a vast overview of one of the oldest industries in Canada.
"The presentation of an exhibition on the scale of Lifelines is the result of considerable work and close collaboration between the Canadian Museum of Civilization and the Atlantic museums," explained Victor Rabinovitch, President and CEO of the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation. "This exhibition is extremely important for our Museum. It presents, in a very dynamic way, the fascinating history of the fisheries of the East Coast of Canada, while demonstrating the impact this activity continues to have on Canadian society and the development of our country."
"This exhibition also makes us realize just what a delicate balance exists among humans, nature and technology," added exhibition coordinator Peter Rider, Curator and Atlantic Provinces Historian at the Canadian Museum of Civilization. "History teaches us that marine resources are fragile and that we have to ask ourselves what measures we can take to preserve them."
The six components of Lifelines have been designed to complement each other, each covering a different aspect of the East Coast fisheries. Three of the six modules have been produced by the Canadian Museum of Civilization, and three by Atlantic museums. The exhibitions produced by the Atlantic museums were made possible in part through grants from the Museums Assistance Program of the Department of Canadian Heritage.
Following is a brief summary of the exhibition's contents. - Cross-Currents: 500 Generations of Aboriginal Fishing in Atlantic Canada provides an overview of Aboriginal fishing in the region, from the distant past up to the modern challenges facing First Peoples such as the Mi'kmaqs of New Brunswick. Produced by the CMC.
- The Cod Rush: The European Fishermen, 1497-1763 describes the experiences of European fishermen, from the arrival of Giovanni Caboto (John Cabot) to the end of the French Régime. Produced by the CMC.
- Swales and Whales: Atlantic Canada's Sea Mammal Harvest looks at the history and legacy of seal and whale hunting, both their importance for Atlantic coastal communities and their ecological effects. Produced by the CMC.
- Possessions: The Material World of Newfoundland Fishing Families allows us to discover the daily lives of families in the isolated outports of Newfoundland in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Produced by the Newfoundland Museum.
- A Lobster Tale: The Lobster Fishery of Prince Edward Island gives us the natural history of this delicious crustacean and provides an original, instructive overview of lobster fishing in Canada's smallest province, from 1870 to the present day. Produced by the P.E.I. Museum and Heritage Foundation.
- The Lure of the River: Sport Fishing in New Brunswick shows the development of this leisure activity from its appearance in the mid-nineteenth century until 1940. Produced by the New Brunswick Museum.
- As a further complement to Lifelines, twelve paintings and sculptures made for the most part by Maritime artists have been loaned by the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. These works provide a very personal vision of the life of fishermen in Atlantic Canada.
At the end of the exhibition, visitors will be able to view Tides of Change, a video compiled from contemporary news reports on the Atlantic fisheries. These reports have been donated by CBC Television Atlantic and Radio-Canada Télévision Atlantique. Visitors will also be able to read recent Atlantic newspaper articles on the subject and express their own views and comments on a bulletin board.
Lifelines will be the principal exhibition presented by the CMC during the 2001 season. It will be accompanied by special programming that pays tribute to fishing and life on the East Coast, including activities for children and families, craft demonstrations and concerts. On the programme: April 6, 7 and 8, Atlantic musicians and storytellers; on June 17, a lobster feast for Father's Day; on August 12, an Acadian festival; and on February 10, 2002, a Celtic music celebration.
The Canadian Museum of Civilization is happy to have the support of the following sponsors for the presentation of Lifelines: The Ottawa Citizen, CBC Television Atlantic and Radio-Canada Télévision Atlantique.
Lifelines: Canada's East Coast Fisheries will be presented from April 6, 2001 to February 24, 2002 in the Special Exhibitions Hall of the Canadian Museum of Civilization.
Information (media):
Media Relations Officer: (819) 776-7169
Senior Media Relations Officer: (819) 776-7167
Fax: (819) 776-7187
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