“Father Fights for Justice: Remembering Megan Gallagher”

Brian Gallagher wants his daughter Megan to be remembered for her kindness, sense of humor, and her natural ability to connect with both animals and children. Megan, who was 30 years old when she went missing in Saskatoon over five years ago, was later discovered dead on the bank of the South Saskatchewan River. Subsequently, nine individuals were charged in relation to her demise.

For the past five years, Brian has been actively advocating for justice for his daughter as well as for other missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. Despite the emotional toll, he has organized rallies, shared his daughter’s story publicly, and continues to raise awareness about the issue.

Emphasizing Megan’s positive qualities, Brian wants people to recognize her love for life and the potential she had before her tragic end.

Megan hailed from a family with a strong baseball background, with her grandfather, Joe Gallagher, being a notable figure in the sport. Joe Gallagher not only had a ball field named after him at the Gordie Howe Sports Complex but was also a renowned educator and musician. Megan shared her family’s passion for baseball, showcasing impressive pitching skills at a young age and engaging in other sports activities like ringette and play-wrestling with her step-brother.

Her aspirations included becoming a red-seal chef, and she found joy in cooking meals for her loved ones, always striving to bring happiness to those around her.

The last time Megan was seen by her family was on September 18, 2020, a day that seemed perfect and gave no indication of any impending tragedy, according to her step-mother, Debbie.

Brian wishes for Megan to be remembered through the lens of her cherished memories rather than solely by the circumstances of her death.

A new This is Saskatchewan: In Depth podcast series delves into Megan Gallagher’s life and tragic death, shedding light on previously undisclosed details following the recent conclusion of the final trial linked to her case.

While grappling with their loss, Brian and Deb hope to raise awareness about the societal factors that might have contributed to Megan’s fate.

“Although the events surrounding her death were horrendous, we should not define her by that. It serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by anyone,” remarked Deb.

Megan Gallagher’s untimely death is a stark example of a larger issue, as national data reveals alarming rates of crime and violence targeting Indigenous women, who are disproportionately affected compared to other segments of the Canadian female population.

“We, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous individuals, must acknowledge and support one another in combating these issues,” urged Brian.

“Instead of dwelling on the tragic aspects of her story, we should focus on how to better our community and honor her memory by learning from this experience.