In the Media

Why We Aren't Talking About Canadian Mining in Guatemala

Writing the Coast: BC & Yukon Book Prizes Podcast, November 2022

In this episode, host Megan Cole talks to Grahame Russell. Grahame edited Testimonio: Canadian Mining in the Aftermath of Genocides in Guatemala with Catherine Nolin. Testimonio was a finalist for the 2022 Jim Deva Prize for Writing that Provokes. In their conversation Grahame talks about his NGO Rights Action, and about why Testimonio shouldn't be a provocative book.

What Has Testimonio
Provoked in Canadian
Society?

By Grahame Russell, Rights Action, May 2023

TESTIMONIO should not be considered a ‘provocative book’. It is fact-based reporting about the harms and violence caused by the Canadian-led mining industry in Guatemala, about the corruption and impunity with which the companies operate.

Interview with Catherine Nolin

The British Columbia Review Interview Series, April 2023

Catherine speaks about Testimonio and the quest of the people of Guatemala for land and life in the face of aggressive actions by Canadian mining companies and the challenges of getting the book published.

Photo-Story

Rights Action, November 2022

As follow-up to publication of TESTIMONIO, Rights Action led an 8-day delegation to visit four mining-resistance struggles

Radio Interview

Gorilla Radio, September 2022

Chris Cook talks with Grahame Russell about TESTIMONIO and ongoing harmful impacts of Canadian mining company operations in Guatemala.

Book review - Tom gives a thumbs up

The Interior News, September 2022

Opinion column review of TESTIMONIO.

Canadian CourseReadings

Canadian CourseReadings, April 2022

TESTIMONIO is included in this Academic Database ~ new and recent books from Canadian academic, university, and literary presses.

Testimonio Book Posting

CBC Books, April 2022

What is land? A resource to be exploited? A commodity to be traded? A home to cherish?

Who is the woman on the cover of TESTIMONIO?

Rights Action, March 2022

Grahame Russell writes of Diodora Antonia Hernandez Cinto, a Mayan Mam woman who refused to sell her plot of land to Goldcorp Inc., and suffered -and survived!- a brutal assassination attempt.

Did Swiss-based Solway Investment Group mining company pressure Swiss-based Springer Nature to quash publication of TESTIMONIO?

Rights Action, March 2022

Grahame Russell writes of the “Forbidden Stories” investigations and revelations about Solway Investment Group mining operation in Guatemala.

Podcast - Crying of Lote 8

CanadaLand Podcast, February 2022

Many Canadian mining companies are pariahs around the world. Why does Canada allow this to happen? Interviews with Angélica Choc, Grahame Russell & Catherine Nolin, in part 8 of an 8-part series on Canadian mining.

Commentary - The Other Face of Renewable Energy: Extractivism

Medium.com, January 2022

Reflections by Sarah Wochele, Denver Justice & Peace Committee, inspired by TESTIMONIO.

Radio interview - CBC The Current

CBC, The Current, January 2022

Interview with Angelica Choc & Grahame Russell on Canadian Mining in Guatemala, TESTIMONIO, and the role and responsability of the Canadian government and private sector.

News report - “It pains me to tell you the image of Canada is severely damaged”

By Joan Baxter, Halifax Examiner, November 2021

Damning testimony in new book reveals the horrific record of Canadian mining companies in Guatemala.

Brisna Caxaj-Rowe, a victim of Guatemalan repression in the 1980s, comments on TESTIMONIO

Rights Action, October 2021

“I relate very well to this book. My own story has points in common with those of the victims talking about their struggles in Testimonio.”

Maude Barlow & others comment on TESTIMONIO

Rights Action, October 2021

Compilation of reviews and comments about TESTIMONIO.

Excerpt from TESTIMONIO - Is Canadian gov’t and embassy in Guatemala to blame for human rights abuses?

By Annie Hylton, Now Toronto, October 2021

Ongoing civil suits against Canadian mining companies reveals embassy's role in creating a favourable climate for business in the country.

Video - Book launch

Between the Lines book launch, October 2021

Co-editors Catherine Nolin and Grahame Russell discuss their powerful new book on the date of its publication, along with several of the book's contributors.

Video - The Exploration Place

Virtual Adult Speaker Series, ‘Exploration Place’, October 2021

Catherine Nolin talks about TESTIMONIO in this webinar presented by The Exploration Place Museum & Science Centre, Prince George, BC.

Report - UNBC researchers document Canadian mining company-linked human rights violations

UNBC News Stories, October 2021

“A new book, TESTIMONIO: Canadian Mining in the Aftermath of Genocides in Guatemala, is co-edited by UNBC Geography Professor Dr. Catherine Nolin and Grahame Russell (director of Rights Action, UNBC Adjunct Professor) and based on their research and direct community support work in Guatemala since 2004.”

News report - Between the Lines to publish mining book dropped by Springer Nature over libel chill

By Cassandra Drudi, Quill & Quire, February 2021

“A book about Canadian mining in Guatemala that was dropped by its European publisher over potential legal concerns last year will be published this fall by Between the Lines.”

Interview - ​Catherine Nolin & Grahame Russell

Canadian Association of University Teachers Council, February 2021

In November 2020, the Canadian Association of University Teachers Council passed a motion condemning the last-minute cancellation of a book deal by Springer Nature, allegedly following third-party interference, as its suppression threatens academic freedom and scholarly communications.

Podcast - Mining the Truth: Why a publisher buried a book exposing human rights abuses by Canadian companies in Guatemala

By The Global Development Primer, December 2020

The co-edited book titled "Canadian Mining in the Aftermath of Genocides in Guatemala" was peer reviewed, and on its way to bookstore shelves until a surprise legal review came forward against the book. Springer Nature, the publisher, then informed the authors that they were canceling the publication contract, and returned the manuscript to the editors.

Springer Publishing succumbs to legal bullying, and why this matters in the struggle for a sustainable and just world

By Steven Johnson, 15-15-15 Magazine, December 2020

Article in this Magazine For A New Civilization, on the quashed publication of Testimonio by Spring Publishing and why it matters.

Report - CUFA BC supports UNBC Professors, condemns publisher for cancelling book on Canadian mining

CUFA BC NEWS, December 2020

The Confederation of University Faculty Associations of BC stands in solidarity with faculty members at the University of Northern British Columbia after Springer Nature cancels book deal.

Public Letter - Why did a Swiss publisher abruptly refuse to publish “Canadian Mining in the Aftermath of Genocides in Guatemala”?

Catherine Nolin & Grahame Russell
November 10, 2020

Due to significant interest, we re-publish this Public Letter, along with the Table of Contents and Bios of the editors and contributors.