SaskatchewanMegan Gallagher’s murder isn’t an isolated incident as national statistics paint a grim picture of crime and violence involving Indigenous women. A new podcast series explores this story as the trial related to her death comes to a close. This is Saskatchewan: In-Depth podcast series delves into Gallagher’s storyMegan Gallagher’s parents say their daughter loved to make people laugh. Her story is part of a new CBC podcast series. (Submitted by Debbie and Brian Gallagher)There are things that Brian Gallagher wants his daughter Megan to be remembered for. She always helped people when they needed it, loved to make people laugh, and animals and kids were drawn to her. The 30-year-old daughter, parent, sister and friend disappeared more than five years ago in Saskatoon. Two years later, her body was found on the bank of the South Saskatchewan River. Nine people were charged in connection with her death.Brian has spent the last five years advocating for justice for his daughter, and for other missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. He’s led marches, spoken publicly about his daughter, and continues to raise awareness despite the pain it can often bring.What Brian really wants people to know is that his daughter was loved. She had many talents and had so much more life to live before she was killed.Megan came from a long line of baseball greats. Her grandfather was Joe Gallagher, who has a ball field at the Gordie Howe Sports Complex named after him. He was also a well-known educator and musician. Megan loved the game too and, according to her father, could pitch 100 kilometers an hour at the age of 12. She also played ringette and loved to wrestle with her step-brother.Megan Gallagher is seen playing baseball in Saskatoon. (Submitted by Debbie and Brian Gallagher)She dreamed of becoming a red-seal chef and would often cook meals for people she loved.“She liked to see people happy. She didn’t like to see people upset or hurting. She was always one of the first ones there to give care and to give help,” said Brian.Megan was last seen by her family on Sept. 18, 2020. “There was absolutely nothing about that day that told us she was at risk or into anything negative,” said Megan’s step-mom, Debbie.“It was just the perfect day. And I guess that’s how we get to remember her.”Megan’s family shared this photo of her cuddling a cat as a child. Her parents say animals and kids were drawn to her. (Submitted by Debbie and Brian Gallagher)Brian wants all of these beautiful memories to be top of mind when people think of Megan, so that she is not reduced to the circumstances of her death.A new This is Saskatchewan: In Depth podcast series explores the life and murder of Megan Gallagher. Many of the grisly details are being made public for the first time, as the final trial related to her death just came to a close. While it is difficult for the family, Brian and Deb want the community to understand the societal factors that may have led to Megan’s death.“What happened to her is horrible, but that’s not how she should be remembered. It’s a lesson on what can happen to anybody,” said Deb.Megan Gallagher’s murder isn’t an isolated incident, as national statistics paint a grim picture of crime and violence involving Indigenous women. The numbers show they are more likely to be murdered, sexually assaulted, attempt suicide, live in poverty or lose their kids to foster care, more than any other category of Canadian women.Brian Gallagher says his daughter ‘always kept you thinking, what’s she up to?’ when he recalled Megan pretending to be a hairdresser in this photo. (Debbie and Brian Gallagher)“I think all of us, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, need to be aware of these things and we need to support each other,” said Brian.“We need to stop focusing on the horrific things that happened to her… and focus on, how do we make our community better? And remember her and the lessons that this has taught us.ABOUT THE AUTHORCandice Lipski is an associate producer and occasional radio host based in Saskatoon. She holds a Master of Journalism degree from UBC. Follow her on Twitter @Candice_Lipski or send her a story idea at candice.lipski@cbc.ca.
New CBC podcast series explores the life and murder of Megan Gallagher
