The parents of Megan Gallagher, a woman murdered in Saskatoon in 2020, are turning their grief into action. They are launching a foundation to support other families of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people (MMIWG2S).
“It’s not just an Indigenous issue, it’s not just a woman’s issue, it’s a community issue,” said Debbie Gallagher, Megan’s stepmother.
Megan vanished on September 20, 2020. She was confined, assaulted, and killed, her body placed into the South Saskatchewan River. Two years later, her remains were found near St. Louis, Saskatchewan. The family led the search, frustrated by what they called a lack of police response.
“There is no army coming out to look for anybody,” Debbie recalled. The family attended over 400 court appearances. Seven people were ultimately convicted in Megan’s death.
The new foundation aims to help families navigate the search, judicial, and healing processes. Plans include working with the Saskatoon Police Service, supporting families in court, and creating a fund to ease financial burdens.
“It’s been a need for absolute years,” said Shirley Isbister of the Central Urban Métis Federation Inc., which supported the Gallaghers. The family hopes the foundation will also protect Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people through education and community involvement.