SASKATOON — Hundreds joined the Gallagher family Sunday morning for an awareness walk to commemorate the first-year anniversary of Megan Gallagher’s disappearance and to kick-off the Saskatchewan Missing Persons Week. Family, relatives, friends, and supporters walked from Joe Gallagher Field to the River Landing Park Amphitheatre.
Brian Gallagher, Megan’s father, said they are overwhelmed after seeing the huge crowd gathered at Gallagher field — named after Megan’s grandfather — that showed up to join them in raising awareness of not only his daughter’s case but all of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
Gallagher thanked the Saskatoon Amateur Softball Association for allowing them to use the facility where they could gather and begin the more than four-kilometre walk from the Gordie Howe Sports Complex to River Landing park.
“It was a year ago when family and friends had their last known contact with Megan. It is the one-year anniversary when our search begun. Why we walk is important. It is important to connect with Mother Earth and a message to the Creator to help us find our loved ones. With each step we build a community,” said Gallagher.
“It affects us all when we all walk together. Together, we will make a difference in the community. We walk to share and as we walk, connect with the people that is walking along with you. We all have stories to share, we all have families, and we are all human beings. In our case, and all the other cases, the silence is killing us.”
He than made an emotional appeal to anyone who has any information about Meghan, who used to play organized softball where she even hit 18 home runs in a span of 12 games in one season. “So, please, help us break the silence.”
Fighting back tears, Gallagher then read a poem he wrote that could sum up the feeling of not knowing what happened to Megan a year ago. He recalled how Megan promised to play softball with him on Father’s Day and supposed to go fishing this summer.
Mayor Charlie Clark, who also showed his support, said the Gallagher family and the other families who have missing relatives reported have been working hard and been waiting so long for answers on any information about Megan.
“There are so many families that are affected and are still facing the uncertainty of family members — mothers, aunties, daughters — missing.”
“Today is the day for us to wrap our support around as a community, and to all the elders and survivors who have been walking along on this journey and providing their support. As I talked to family members over the years, hearing and knowing, and seeing as we work for justice of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.”
He added that various members of the communities have also joined the journey in seeking justice and closure.
“We want you to know that Indigenous people are not only on that journey. We see more and more non-Indigenous people who walk together. All of our fight, all our work, this is a step forward.”
Megan’s last known whereabouts was in the 100 block of Avenue P South at around 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 21 last year. She has brown hair and eyes, and has several tattoos — the number 13 on her right hand, the names Jake and Adam beneath her arm, a cross behind her ear, coloured feather on an ankle, and a bear line tattoo on her left wrist.
The Gallagher family and the Saskatoon Police Service are asking the public to come forward if they have any information on Megan’s whereabouts. The public can call SPS at 306.975.8300 or report online at SASKATOONPOLICESERVICE.ca or Crime Stoppers at 306-931-8477 or 1-800-222-8477.
