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Three years after Megan Gallagher went missing, her father Brian Gallagher and stepmother Debbie Gallagher are hoping to break the silence for missing and murdered Indigenous women.
They stage an annual walk dedicated to their daughter. The third edition of the walk is set for Sunday in Saskatoon.
Megan was last seen in surveillance footage at a corner store on Diefenbaker Drive in Saskatoon in September of 2020.
In January of 2021, police announced that they were investigating her disappearance as a murder. On Nov. 9 of last year, Saskatoon police announced that her remains had been found in the South Saskatchewan River near St. Louis.
Nine people have been arrested in connection to the investigation of Gallagher’s death.
“This walk in particular is of critical importance to us,” Brian said of the third annual walk. “We do believe that walking together (and) talking together builds community, builds friendships, (and) builds new relationships.”
Debbie explained that walking together as a community can encourage others to speak up and “break the silence” for other families with missing loved ones.
On Monday, the preliminary hearings are set to begin for six people facing serious charges such as first-degree murder, aggravated assault, and unlawful confinement in connection to the case.
Brian said he has attended every court appearance to date, which he says number around 150 so far, and will be attending every appearance during the trials.
“This is one of Saskatoon’s most horrific murder cases,” said Debbie.
Brian called the details he’s heard so far horrendous.
“You have nine people responsible for taking the life of one girl, and I don’t think in any society or any situation that will ever be acceptable,” he said.
Brian said annual walks like this send a strong and important message to the community, not just for Megan but for all missing and murdered Indigenous women.
“This can happen to anybody. It could be your daughter or your son,” he said.
The walk starts at Joe Gallagher Field on Sunday at 10 a.m.
