"The definitive book on one of the bloodiest labour disputes in Canadian history." - The Canadian Forum
Dying for Gold
About the Book
On September 18, 1992 a violent explosion deep in Yellowknife's Giant mine took the lives of nine miners. The men had defied the picket lines that were the scene of violent clashes between the mineworkers and company security forces during a long and bitter strike/lockout. Roger Warren, a veteran miner whose skills were legendary, was convicted of nine counts of murder, but his guilt is disputed to this day.
In this stunning, updated 30th anniversary expose, journalists Lee Selleck and Francis Thompson tell the dramatic story behind this tragedy, the vast personal and political fallout, and the lessons that hold true today. Dying For Gold unravels the complex web of events leading up to the explosion and gives incisive portraits of the major players on all sides of the bitter standoff.
Selleck and Thompson conducted more than 500 interviews and spent five years writing Dying For Gold. Their work takes you inside the mine, to the picket lines, to the front row of the courtrooms for Roger Warren's trials, and the victims' families' tenacious struggle for compensation and justice. Dying For Gold inspired the CBC's recent, award-winning podcast, Giant – Murder Underground.
REVIEWS
See what people have to say about Dying for Gold:
"Solid, well documented reporting...Part murder mystery, part labour history, and part business story."
- The Globe and Mail
"A brilliant book...the characters come to life. A masterclass in investigative journalism."
- Sara Minogue, Northreads
"A compelling story."
- The Edmonton Journal
"It is a tribute to the authors that a book this rich with detail is such a good read."
- Yellowknifer
"Masterfully uncovering the untold stories behind the headlines...captivating from start to finish."
- Larry Savage, Professor of Labour Studies, Brock University
Lee Selleck & Francis Thompson
About the Authors
Award-winning journalist Lee Selleck covered the Giant Mine story for The Press Independent newspaper, Canadian Press, and later for CBC Television. He was a major contributor to CBC’s Giant Mine docudrama and in 2022, CBC’s acclaimed podcast, Giant - Murder Underground. A recipient of the Queen’s Jubilee Medal, he lives in Yellowknife.
Francis Thompson was a reporter at Northern News Services when the labour dispute began at Giant Mine. After the first edition of this book, he gradually moved from journalism to public health policy. He has worked at the provincial, federal and international levels, traveling extensively. He now works in the Ottawa area, where he lives with his family.
Follow me on socials!
MEDIA
Lee and Francis in the media:
Giant - Murder Underground - CBC Podcast
Canadian Book Review Annual Online Review
CBC Radio Interview - November 25, 2024
Cabin Radio - November, 2024
CBC Calgary, The Eyeopener, December 31, 2024