Ashley Masters is an organizer of the now-annual event called “E yeti ya da nohs da:t Ogwak sa dah" in the Cayuga language, meaning or “Lifting Up Our Children."
"The children that are gone are still here," Masters said. "We're still remembering, talking about them and letting their story live on."The event kicked off Friday morning and continues Saturday. Masters said she estimates that more schools were sending students this year than last, which she's pleased about, since it means more kids are learning about this history and its impact.
Paige Porter of Beads into Beauty says it's particularly important for her to participate because her grandparents went to residential school. "Being a part of it is also something very special to me. I myself have grandparents who were in Indian residential schools. I feel that it's something that I need to be a part of for the ones who can't be here."