It’s been a year since the remains of a missing Métis woman from Saskatoon were recovered from the South Saskatchewan River near St. Louis.
Megan Gallagher’s family is trying to keep her name alive as six of the people charged in her death return to court for preliminary hearings. It’s just one of more than a hundred cases needing resolution.
“There’s still 137 families in Saskatchewan missing a loved one, that’s long term over six months missing people. It’s not over,” said Debbie Gallagher, Megan’s stepmother.
Debbie and Megan’s father, Brian Gallagher are getting ready for Megan’s Memorial Walk on Sunday in Saskatoon which they started when their daughter, 30, was still missing. Brian is hoping for the same support they’ve had in other years.
Four people charged with first-degree murder in Megan’s case and two charged with unlawful confinement and aggravated assault return to court starting next week. Three of the nine people charged entered guilty pleas earlier this year and have already been sentenced. Megan disappeared in September of 2020 and it wasn’t until Saskatoon Major Crimes received a tip from the public in 2022 that her remains were discovered.
Brian Gallagher said he’s afraid the public will become indifferent—after hearing so many stories of missing and murdered Indigenous people.
“We’re going to live with this for the rest of our lives, that’s undeniable, we’re always going to miss Megan,” he said. “One of our worst fears is indifference and I’m afraid people might be becoming indifferent to hearing about Megan Gallagher.
“And if they’re indifferent to hearing about Megan Gallagher, I’m sure they’re becoming quite indifferent to hearing about the other names as well. We can’t stop saying their names.”
