April 25, 2013
Oscar Lathlin's Lifelong Commitment to Education Honoured with Opening of New Library in The Pas
– – –UCN Research Library Expands Opportunities to Northern Students: Ashton
The late Oscar Lathlin, who overcame many challenges to become chief of the Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN) and a cabinet minister in the Government of Manitoba, is being honoured today with the opening of a library that bears his name, Infrastructure and Transportation Minister Steve Ashton announced today.
“Oscar dedicated himself to expanding educational opportunities for young people, so it’s entirely appropriate that this new library is now part of his legacy,” Ashton said. “He encouraged young people to do everything they could to further themselves and be competitive. The Oscar Lathlin Library will honour that commitment and give northern students an important tool to do just that.”
The 16,400-square-foot research library includes a campus commons area for students, computer workstations, study areas and rooms for private meetings. It serves the two main campuses and 12 regional centres across the north.
The library is part of a major expansion of the University College of the North campus at The Pas, supported with a $15 million investment by the province. It was also done with the help of generous donations from members of the community including Evans Premachuk, Opaskwayak Cree Nation and the family of Oscar Lathlin, said Ashton.
The expansion includes:
- a new 6,500-sq.-ft. child-care facility to accommodate up to 76 children,
- an Aboriginal centre offering culturally appropriate assistance, and
- centralized administrative offices.
“Oscar Lathlin was a great leader and a man dedicated to his community,” said Advanced Education and Literacy Minister Erin Selby. “Oscar worked tirelessly for the north and became a voice for the north in the legislature, and this library will be a fitting tribute to his memory.”
Lathlin was born May 20, 1947, and died Nov. 1, 2008. He was elected chief of OCN in 1985. In 1990, he was elected to the legislative assembly of Manitoba and following the 1999 election became a minister in the provincial cabinet.
Lathlin lost his father when he was eight and shouldered the responsibility as the principal breadwinner for his mother, brothers and sisters when he was 15, Ashton said, adding he had the ability to laugh in the face of adversity and was not afraid of challenges.
“Oscar was a true champion of the north. He was a quiet man, but when he spoke, people listened,” said Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Minister Eric Robinson. “He worked tirelessly to provide more opportunities for northern families and he never lost his sense of humour, forging strong relationships with his constituents, family, friends and colleagues. I can think of no more fitting tribute than this library that will stand for generations as a symbol of what Oscar stood for.”
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