Students from three Langford schools marched to commemorate Red Dress Day, a national day of awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people, on Friday (May 5).

They sang and banged drums as they walked along Goldstrem Avenue from Ruth King Elementary School to Savory Elementary School. Students from the two elementary schools and Spencer Middle School took part.

B次元官网网址淚 think itB次元官网网址檚 time that our younger kids learn more about Indigenous people and their issues,B次元官网网址� said Marlene Clifton, a Gitksan woman who works with the Sooke School District. B次元官网网址淚 think by teaching them in schools, and not watering it downB次元官网网址� (it) is a great thing. I think itB次元官网网址檚 important because when I went to school, when my children went to school, there was absolutely nothing about Indigenous people. I think the time is right and thatB次元官网网址檚 the way Indigenous people are, everything is a time for things, a time for everything. So this is the right time.B次元官网网址�

After arriving at Savory there was a ceremony held where elders told stories before bannock was served.

Jo-Ina Young, Metis elder with SD62, said she hoped by seeing diversity and inclusion taught in schools there wouldnB次元官网网址檛 be a need for Red Dress marches in the future.

B次元官网网址淪eeing the children come out no matter what nationality they are, they all are expressing their concern for the Indigenous women of Canada. It just raises our hearts and our emotions and our complete pride in being Indigenous people.B次元官网网址�

Red Dress Day started in 2010 after artist Jaime BlackB次元官网网址檚 REDress project inspired the movement to pay respect to the Indigenous victims of racialized and gendered violence in Canada.

B次元官网网址淲e also want to share and celebrate the strength of Indigenous women and relay how honoured women are in Indigenous culture and communities,B次元官网网址� principal of Savory Elementary School Renee Hislop said in a previous interview with Black Press Media.

B次元官网网址淚t is important in our work towards truth and reconciliation, that we teach this to our young people in a way that tells the story of Indigenous peoples both past and present. ItB次元官网网址檚 really important to us that we share this truth in a way that honours but does not traumatize children. Our children are our future, and they are going to make the difference.B次元官网网址�

- With files from Ella Matte

READ MORE: Langford students to hang red dresses to honour missing and murdered Indigenous women