A large group gathered in Halifax on Wednesday to discuss how to better protect and empower indigenous women.

The roundtable discussion was held by Dalhousie University’s law school and the Nova Scotia Native Women’s Association in response to the death of murdered university student Loretta Saunders.

“It is so important that we don’t forget that this happened and that we continue to live our lives every single day to honour Loretta and women like Loretta,” says classmate and friend Chenise Hache.

“So today we actually have the beginnings of…getting someone to coordinate and keep the effort going,” says Cheryl Maloney of the Nova Scotia Native Women’s Association.

Police allege Saunders, who was three months pregnant, was murdered on Feb. 13, the same day she was last seen at a Halifax apartment she once shared with the two people accused in her death.

Saunders' body was found on a snow-covered median off the Trans-Canada Highway near Salisbury, N.B. on Feb. 26.

The 26-year-old Inuk woman from Labrador was studying at Saint Mary's University. Her thesis focused on missing and murdered Aboriginal women.

Saunders’ former roommates, Victoria Henneberry, 28, and Blake Leggette, 25, have been charged with first-degree murder in her death.

Attendees say the meeting was a first step toward a long-term goal of creating a legacy for Saunders, which includes education opportunities for aboriginal women. So far, $40,000 has been donated toward a scholarship in her name.

“Students will be able to apply for it, in this case indigenous women, and apply for university in the Atlantic provinces,” says Darryl Leroux, a criminology professor at Saint Mary’s University.

The group has identified specific areas that need work, including public education and awareness, research and support. They also acknowledge there are still calls for a national inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women.

“We need to create awareness by Canadians on the aboriginal population,” says Cheryl Copage of the Indian Brook First Nation.

The group plans to meet again in a few months to discuss how to further their ideas and Saunders’ legacy.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Kelland Sundahl