'She would've been home': Family, community seek closure in mysterious disappearance of Tammy Nattaway

Stephanie Nattaway talks to the photo she has of her daughter Tammy in the hallway of her home in Garden Hill First Nation, urging her to come home or give a clue about where she is.

"I always say 'Try harder. Keep us close and in dreams.' I ask and pray a lot," she said.

"I know it's been too long. She would've been home. I know she would've been home."

It's been four years since Tammy Nattaway, who was 16 at the time, disappeared from the Island Lake region, made up of four fly-in communities in northeastern Manitoba. 

Tammy spent her time between two First Nations — Garden Hill, where she lived in foster care, and neighbouring Wasagamack — where her boyfriend and extended family live.

Manitoba RCMP believe she was last seen in Garden Hill in mid-July of 2020, but say it's possible she went to Wasagamack. 

Searchers say it's unusual that she went missing without a trace, save for a piece of clothing, and despite exhaustive community-led efforts to find her that haven't let up. Tammy never strayed far from home, according to her mother, and looked out for her younger siblings.

"We never had a wake or funeral for her. We haven't given up searching yet. Can't say goodbye. Can't seem to grow," said Stephanie. 

Garden Hill First Nation is offering a $5,000 reward to anyone with information that leads to her being found. 

For the past four years, hundreds of searchers from all over Island Lake have scoured both communities — by air, land and water — looking for a trace of Tammy, finding only her sweater two years after she disappeared.

Manitoba RCMP say prior to her disappearance, Tammy sold her phone, which they recovered. In a statement, they said "extensive investigational steps into Tammy's social media activity and online activity have been taken leading up to her disappearance."

RCMP say foul play may be involved in Tammy's disappearance. RCMP's major crime services is leading the investigation. 

Tammy was the eldest of nine siblings but had been in foster care in Garden Hill First Nation. She wasn't reported missing to police until July 31, more than a week after she was last reportedly seen.