{{Short description|Canadian politician (1976–2026)}} {{Use Canadian English|date=March 2026}}{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2026}} {{Infobox officeholder | image = Lathlin official portrait.jpg | name = Amanda Lathlin | honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=CAN|MLAMB|size=100%}} | caption = Official portrait, 2023 | birth_name = Amanda Gail Lathlin | birth_date = {{birth date|1976|7|17|mf=yes}} | birth_place = The Pas, Manitoba, Canada | death_date = {{death date and age|2026|3|21|1976|7|17|mf=yes}} | death_place = Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada | office1 = Member of the<br>Legislative Assembly of Manitoba<br>for The Pas-Kameesak<br><small>The Pas (2015–2019)</small> | term_start1 = April 22, 2015 | term_end1 = March 21, 2026 | predecessor1 = Frank Whitehead | successor1 = ''Vacant'' | party = New Democratic Party | education = University of Manitoba (BA) }}
'''Amanda Gail Lathlin''' (July 17, 1976 – March 21, 2026) was a Canadian politician who represented the constituency of The Pas-Kameesak (formerly The Pas) in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba from 2015 until her death in 2026.<ref name=wins>[http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/ndp-s-amanda-lathlin-wins-the-pas-byelection-1.3043484 "NDP's Amanda Lathlin wins The Pas byelection"]. CBC News, April 22, 2015.</ref> At the time of her election, she was the first First Nations woman to serve in Manitoba's legislature. She was a member of the New Democratic Party of Manitoba.<ref name=wins />
==Early life and career== Lathlin was born on July 17, 1976,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goldsborough |first=L. Gordon |title=Memorable Manitobans: Amanda Lathlin (1976–2026) |url=https://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/people/lathlin_a.shtml |access-date=March 26, 2026 |website=Manitoba Historical Society Archives |publisher=Manitoba Historical Society}}</ref> the daughter of Oscar Lathlin, a former provincial cabinet minister who represented The Pas in the provincial legislature from 1990 to 2008.<ref name=wins /> Prior to her election to the legislature, Lathlin worked for the University College of the North and served as a band councillor for the Opaskwayak Cree Nation.<ref>[http://www.thompsoncitizen.net/news/nickel-belt/the-pas-byelection-candidate-wants-to-be-role-model-for-women-1.1818353 "The Pas byelection candidate wants to be role model for women"]. ''Thompson Citizen'', April 10, 2015.</ref><ref name="buffie">{{cite news |last1=Buffie |first1=Nicole |title=MLA Lathlin remembered as fierce advocate for northern Manitoba |url=https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2026/03/22/mla-lathlin-remembered-as-fierce-advocate-for-northern-manitoba |access-date=March 25, 2026 |work=Winnipeg Free Press |date=March 22, 2026}}</ref>
In 2015, Lathlin was nominated as the New Democratic Party candidate for a by-election following the resignation of Frank Whitehead on health grounds. Her nomination was determined by a contentious coin-toss after she and the other nominee, Florence Duncan, both received 295 votes.<ref name="glover">{{cite news |last1=Glover |first1=Chris |title=Some New Democrats in The Pas call coin-toss tiebreaker ludicrous |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/some-new-democrats-in-the-pas-call-coin-toss-tiebreaker-ludicrous-1.3000974 |access-date=March 25, 2026 |work=CBC News |date=March 19, 2015}}</ref><ref name=wins /> Lathlin was ultimately elected in the by-election, becoming the first First Nations woman elected to the provincial legislature.<ref>[http://www.winnipegsun.com/2015/05/04/lathlin-sworn-in "Lathlin sworn in"]. ''Winnipeg Sun'', May 4, 2015.</ref><ref name="tcpgn" /> The turnout was the lowest recorded for a by-election in Manitoba.<ref name=wins /> In the 2019 election, after the riding of The Pas was redistributed, Lathlin was re-elected the newly created riding of The Pas-Kameesak.<ref name="cbc21m">{{cite news |title=Amanda Lathlin 'led with heart and conviction,' says Manitoba premier after northern MLA's death |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/amanda-lathlin-the-pas-kameesak-ndp-mla-9.7133657 |access-date=March 25, 2026 |work=CBC News |date=March 21, 2026}}</ref>
As a member of the legislative assembly, Lathlin forwarded legislation that allowed for compassionate care leave to be granted to workers who experienced a miscarriage.<ref name="cbc21m" /><ref name= "sanders" /><ref name="tcpgn">{{cite news |title=Politicians praise Amanda Lathlin, first First Nations woman in Manitoba legislature – Winnipeg |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/11742850/politicians-praise-amanda-lathlin-first-first-nations-woman-in-manitoba-legislature/ |access-date=March 25, 2026 |work=Global News |agency=The Canadian Press}}</ref> She recalled that, following her by-election win, she experienced a miscarriage and was subsequently hospitalized.<ref name= "sanders" /><ref name="hoye" /> Lathlin focused on delivering resources to child survivors of sexual violence living in the north of Manitoba, passing a "common sense priority" law to ensure that youth have better access to resources following the occurrence of sexual violence.<ref name= "sanders" /><ref name="hoye">{{cite news |last1=Hoye |first1=Bryce |title=Manitoba politicians say goodbye to NDP MLA Amanda Lathlin in emotional tribute |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/amanda-lathlin-the-pas-kameesak-ndp-mla-tribute-legislature-9.7138793 |access-date=March 25, 2026 |date=March 23, 2026}}</ref>
She was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2022.<ref>[https://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/people/platinumjubileemedal.shtml Manitoba Historical Society Archives, Manitoba Recipients of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal]. Retrieved March 26, 2026.</ref>
==Personal life and death== Lathlin was a foster parent, as well as a parent and grandmother. She recalled experiencing the removal of three of her nieces while she was on a trip to the United States by Opaskwayak Child and Family Services, an experience she said "tore" into her.<ref name="ferstl">{{cite news |last1=Ferstl |first1=Rachel |title=Former band councillor, now Manitoba MLA raises concerns with shift to First Nations child welfare oversight |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-child-welfare-bill-c92-first-nations-1.7187225 |access-date=March 25, 2026 |work=CBC News }}</ref>
Lathlin died in Winnipeg on March 21, 2026, at the age of 49.<ref name= "sanders">{{Cite web |last=Sanders |first=Carol |date=March 23, 2026 |title=Premier, NDP caucus pay tribute to northern MLA who left 'very profound' legacy |url=https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2026/03/23/premier-ndp-caucus-pay-tribute-to-northern-mla-who-left-very-profound-legacy |access-date=March 24, 2026 |website=Winnipeg Free Press}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wheatle |first=Tiar |date=March 23, 2026 |title=Northern Manitoban MLA honoured at Manitoba Legislature after passing |url=https://www.aptnnews.ca/videos/northern-manitoban-mla-honoured-at-manitoba-legislature-after-passing/ |access-date=March 24, 2026 |website=APTN National News |language=en-US}}</ref> Following her death, the Rural Municipality of Kelsey, Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, Southern Chiefs Organization, and Liberal MP for Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, Rebecca Chartrand extended messages of condolence.<ref name="buffie" /> The flags at the Manitoba Legislature flew at half-mast, and the session adjourned early on her behalf.<ref name= "sanders" />
==Electoral record== {{2023 Manitoba general election/The Pas-Kameesak}} {{2019 Manitoba general election/The Pas-Kameesak}} {{2016 Manitoba general election/The Pas}} {{2015 Manitoba provincial by-elections/The Pas}}
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lathlin, Amanda}} Category:1976 births Category:2026 deaths Category:21st-century Canadian women politicians Category:21st-century members of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba Category:Cree politicians Category:First Nations politicians Category:First Nations women in politics Category:Indigenous Canadian women academics Category:New Democratic Party of Manitoba MLAs Category:People from The Pas Category:University of Manitoba alumni Category:Women MLAs in Manitoba