Amanda Lathlin (July 17, 1976 â 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. 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.
Lathlin was born on July 17, 1976, the daughter of Oscar Lathlin, a former provincial cabinet minister who represented The Pas in the provincial legislature from 1990 to 2008. 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.
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. Lathlin was ultimately elected in the by-election, becoming the first First Nations woman elected to the provincial legislature. The turnout was the lowest recorded for a by-election in Manitoba. In the 2019 election, after the riding of The Pas was redistributed, Lathlin was re-elected the newly created riding of The Pas-Kameesak.
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. She recalled that, following her by-election win, she experienced a miscarriage and was subsequently hospitalized. 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.
She was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2022.
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.
Lathlin died in Winnipeg on March 21, 2026, at the age of 49. Following her death, the Rural Municipality of Kelsey, Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, Southern Chiefs Organization, and Liberal MP for ChurchillâÂÂKeewatinook Aski, Rebecca Chartrand extended messages of condolence. The flags at the Manitoba Legislature flew at half-mast, and the session adjourned early on her behalf.