The former caregiver of a toddler whose remains were found in a Manitoba barn earlier this summer alleges the young girl would still be alive if child welfare workers hadn’t intervened.
Natalie Anderson claims she is the rightful mother of Xavia Skye Lynn Butler, whose remains were located roughly 200 kilometers northwest of Winnipeg in the Rural Municipality of Grahamdale on June 3.
The death is being investigated as a homicide, with no charges laid yet. Manitoba RCMP have said the First Nations girl was between one and two years old.
Anderson was at the sacred fire lit in Butler’s honour in downtown Winnipeg Friday.
She claims she signed a legal agreement with her cousin, who is Butler’s biological mother, that was witnessed by nurses the day the baby was born.
Anderson says she named the infant Xavia, took her home from the hospital, and cared for her without the help of the biological mother until an Indigenous child welfare agency and the mother took her back on March 17, 2022 – just prior to Xavia’s first birthday.
Anderson says she will pursue legal action for the custody agreement allegedly being breached.
She and her supporters hope Butler’s death will bring awareness to missing and murdered Indigenous babies and the way child welfare practices can hurt families.
“I want justice for her,” says Anderson, “I want her name known, I want her face known, I want her story to be known. I want change.”
Nadine Bone, a cousin of Butler’s, wants to remember the young girl for the happy child she was while living with her and Anderson.
“She was always smiling, and when she would play with teddy bears she would scream at them and just always be the happiest, bubbliest … she was perfect,” said Bone, noting the child’s favourite movie was Shrek.
Mourners brought teddy bears and stuffed animals to the fire in Memorial Park. The donations will be used to line the steps of the Manitoba Legislative Building while the fire burns until November 11.
