A one-time federal NDP candidate in the Yukon and lawyer known for her sly humour and dedication to helping her First Nation has died.

The Yukon NDP confirmed in a release this morning that Melissa Atkinson has suddenly passed. The party learned of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in member’s death on Thursday.

Atkinson ran in the 2015 election to become the territory’s representative in Ottawa, against then-Conservative MP Ryan Leef and now-MP Larry Bagnell.

Reached by the Star this morning, Bagnell said the sudden passing came as news to him.

“I’m shocked; it’s a big surprise, her passing,” he said. His admiration didn’t stop at her run for office, he added.

“It’s always a difficult task and a difficult environment, so I give her credit for that.”

In the 2015 election, Atkinson drew about 19 per cent of the vote, behind Bagnell and Leef but ahead of the Green Party’s Frank de Jong.

Had she won, it would have been the first time a First Nation member became a Yukon MP.

Born and raised in the territory, Atkinson became the Yukon’s first Indigenous Crown in 2002 after wrapping up law school. She chaired the Yukon Human Rights Commission from 2004 to 2010.

Eventually, she would serve with the Yukon branch of the Canadian Bar association, and in the past has cited Quebec’s Oka crisis as among her inspirations for her work. That 1990 confrontation, involving Mohawk residents trying to prevent the expansion of a golf course north of Montreal, saw the intervention of the Sureté du Québec and the Canadian military.

In a move rarely seen, Atkinson’s more than decade-long law career saw her switch from being a member of the Crown to a lawyer with legal aid.

“I’m a huge fan of people that dedicate themselves to legal aid; she did a lot of work there that helps people that otherwise wouldn’t have access to legal assistance,” Bagnell added.

The Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in called Atkinson a “trailblazing citizen” who will be remembered as a compassionate and humble person willing to better those around her.

“Melissa was a special, selfless individual and a role model for youth,” Chief Roberta Joseph said in a release.

“It’s always sad when we lose a citizen; it’s even sadder to lose a young person like Melissa, but we are thankful for all she’s done for our people and all Yukoners.”

What stood out for Kate White, the Yukon NDP MLA and leadership hopeful, was Atkinson’s sense of humour, paired with dedication to her work.

“She was a shining light not just in the Indigenous community but in the community as a whole,” White told the Star this morning. Reflecting, she noted that Atkinson was a strong voice.

“It’s one of those things, sometimes you don’t know the impact someone has until they leave suddenly – her loss is going to be felt.”

A member of similar circles herself, White said it was a pleasant surprise when she learned of Atkinson’s funny but still passionate side.

“She was really funny,” noted White, who knew Atkinson in high school.

“As someone who at the beginning of getting to know her, I didn’t realize how funny she was; she could deliver some pretty good zingers with a complete deadpan.

“You weren’t sure if she was being fully funny, until you processed it.”

Watching her grow with NDP values, White recalled Atkinson’s pride in her community by frequently donning regalia that paid tribute to it.

Also during the 2015 campaign, Atkinson was quick to advocate for $15-a-day child care and a minimum wage of $15 for federal workers.

Electoral reform, retirement age and launching a missing and murdered aboriginal women inquiry were among her other commitments.

“She (helped) by becoming a lawyer and getting all that education, which is a hard road to start with,” Bagnell added.

“I think it’s sad, because I think she had a lot more to offer.”

Yukon Party interim leader Stacey Hassard said the party was saddened to learn of Atkinson’s passing, noting that “her contributions and service to Yukoners will be remembered and her passing is a loss for our territory.

“Our sincere condolences to her family and friends at this time of loss.”

According to her LinkedIn page, the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in member spent time at the University of Victoria after Trent University in Ontario, and pursued Hispanic studies through a Spain university.

The cause for Atkinson’s passing at this stage is unknown.

Both politicians expressed sympathy and condolences for her mother, Jessie Sidney, who raised her as a single mother. Atkinson had Han, Kaska Dene and Tlingit roots.

Premier Sandy Silver also acknowledged the loss this afternoon, tweeting, “I wish her family well at this difficult time.”