Printed in Norwegian newspaper utrop

On 19th of November 2025, we lost an activist, a sister, mother and daughter. Today, on 4th of December, she is laid to rest, and I would like to share a few final words about her.

By Angelica Bråten
Chair of the board, UTAD – Transnational Adoptees United

Natalie Montaño was a well-known and strong voice in the Norwegian adoptee community.

She was vocal in her criticism of the adoption system, specifically regarding it’s failure to understand both the necessity of follow-up support for the adoptees and the need for protection against adoption being used as a pawn in cynical human trafficking.

Natalie dedicated all her resources to writing op-eds, including in Utrop, participating in the public debate, and creating the podcast, “Adopsjon – et utvidet narrativ“.

Through her enormous commitment, she succeeded in expanding the narrative to the fullest extent. Behind the scenes, Natalie worked tirelessly to challenge people’s perceptions of adoption, support adoptees who sought answers, and correct journalists who insisted on calling adult adoptees “adopted children”.

Several people have shared stories about how she contacted them when they engaged in the public debate, and how she initiated long and good discussions about the topic of adoption. She always answered them when they contacted her after reading a op-ed, interview or listening to a podcast. She generously shared her knowledge, drawing both from what she already possessed and what she continued to acquire.

While she might have appeared to be someone who aggressively sought out her ideological opponents just to “correct” or “lecture them”, Natalie was always genuinely open and interested in hearing different viewpoints.

The first interaction between Natalie and I was on my Facebook page. I had been vocal about my opinions on adoption for over a decade. I had called for better legal protection for adoptees, and I had taken a critical look at the entire process several times in the media and on my own pages.

When Natalie first contacted me, she was skeptical of my criticism of the system. She asked if I wasn’t exaggerating and perhaps being radically negative about adoption. It is unfortunately a fact that adoption criticism has long been seen as ingratitude and anger from a handful of adoptees. However, Natalie was genuinely interested in hearing what I had to say. She listened with an open mind and curiosity. She was never interested in opinions and “felt” realities. She sought hard facts and evidence-based information. The more we talked, the more engaged she became. Little did I know that it wold be the start of her legacy – a readily accessible and easy-to-understand knowledge base for adoptees.

Natalie was a unifying figure, as she challenged and expanded the narrative on adoption. She moved the public discourse, and she moved people. This was clearly evident during the memorial service that was held over the weekend.

Everyone who attended the memorial service came from different country groups and many were from the opposite ends of the debate about adoption. Still, we all gathered in sorrow, but also in joyful memories and stories about Natalie and her importance to us and our community.

Natalie was always very careful. She never uttered a word without having done extensive research. She became a great inspiration to so many, and her presence built bridges. Natalie never viewed her ideological opponents as enemies. She accepted that there were different views and perceptions. She preferred that arguments be made with objectivity, but she did not judge. She said once to an opposing debater, “we will probably not agree on the matter, but I love you anyway”.

Because if there is one thing Natalie and her fellow activists know, it is how heavy it is to withstand the storm of public debates. She knew how important it was to protect and support others. One of the topics Natalie was most passionate about was adoptees mental health.

We have raised the issue several times to emphasize the importance of the topic, and the lack of expertise in Norway on adoptees. And we have pointed to the grim suicide statistics where adoptees, and especially transnational adoptees, unfortunately are overrepresented.

We were relentless in highlighting and raising this issue. So it feels extra heavy to see that you became part of that statistic as well. It’s hard to realize that you fought for your own life, as well as for others. It becomes a painful reminder of how real the risk is to us. The importance of the work we activists do, — work which you contributed greatly.

Natalie, we will continue to raise our voices and be vocal about adoption. Even though you are no longer with us, you will continue to be a strong voice with us going forward. You are, and will be, deeply missed, but never forgotten! May you now finally find peace.