Justice
September & October 2012
By Leonard Linklater
April 2013
“… very moving… causes reflection on the current struggles First Nations people have with the present judicial system.…” – What’s Up Yukon
“…a beautiful, heartfelt and poetic portrayal of this significant piece of Yukon history” – Mary Sloan, Performer and Theatre Educator
“…intelligent, resonant and compassionate work…showing the clash of cultures in a way that doesn’t dehumanize one side or the other… powerful connections to the present.” – Mitch Miyagawa, Filmmaker and Playwright
A gripping drama that sheds light on a little-known part of Canada’s history, Justice is inspired by the true story of the Nantuck brothers, the first men to be hanged in the fledgling Yukon territory. During the Klondike Gold Rush of 1898, Aboriginal and European cultures came together with sometimes tragic results. The accidental poisoning deaths of two members of the Tagish First Nation led to a cultural misunderstanding and clash of justice systems far from the reach of the papers of the day. Yukon playwright Leonard Linklater explores their divergent views of justice in this fascinating play.
Gwaandak premiered Justice in September 2012 and toured to Yukon rural communities of Teslin, Carcross, Haines Junction and Dawson City before opening in Whitehorse at the Yukon Arts Centre.
A second production toured to Northern Scene in the nation’s capital of Ottawa in April 2013, presented by the National Arts Centre.
Leonard Linklater workshopped this play with dramaturg DD Kugler and actors at Native Earth Performing Arts’ Weesageechak Begins to Dance Festival of New Works at Theatre Passe Muraille in Toronto in January 2010. This work was previously known as Whose Justice?
CREDITS
Featuring Rob Hunter, Chris McGregor*, Phillip Nugent, Corey Payette*
Playwright | Leonard Linklater
Directors | Floyd Favel* (2012) / Yvette Nolan* (2013)
Dramaturgy | DD Kugler & Yvette Nolan
Set & Properties Designer | Linda Leon
Sound Designer | Dave Haddock
Lighting Designer | Graham Ockley
Movement Coach | Andrameda Hunter
Original Music | Jared Lutchman/Ga Ata, Sean Ltaguhâ McDougall
Other Music Credits | Daniel Janke, Marilyn Jensen/Yadultin, Sally Lutchman/N’Kghei
Photography | Andrew Alexander
*Member of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association
