Amanda Lathlin
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July 17, 1976
Amanda Lathlin | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2023 | |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba for The Pas-Kameesak The Pas (2015–2019) | |
| In office April 22, 2015 – March 21, 2026 | |
| Preceded by | Frank Whitehead |
| Succeeded by | Vacant |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Amanda Gail Lathlin July 17, 1976 The Pas, Manitoba, Canada |
| Died | March 21, 2026 (aged 49) Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
| 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.[1] 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.[1]
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]