Amanda Lathlin

Lathlin was born on July 17, 1976,^[2] the daughter of Oscar Lathlin, a former provincial cabinet minister who represented The Pas in the provincial legislature from 1990 to 2008.^[1] 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.^[3][4]

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.^[5][1] Lathlin was ultimately elected in the by-election, becoming the first First Nations woman elected to the provincial legislature.^[6][7] The turnout was the lowest recorded for a by-election in Manitoba.^[1] In the 2019 election, after the riding of The Pas was redistributed, Lathlin was re-elected the newly created riding of The Pas-Kameesak.^[8]

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.^[8][9][7] She recalled that, following her by-election win, she experienced a miscarriage and was subsequently hospitalized.^[9][10] 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.^[9][10]

She was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2022.^[11]

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.^[12]

Lathlin died in Winnipeg on March 21, 2026, at the age of 49.^[9][13] 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.^[4] The flags at the Manitoba Legislature flew at half-mast, and the session adjourned early on her behalf.^[9]