Rowena Sharpe had recently separated from her husband and was working to rebuild her life when she was murdered.

The death of a woman from St. Mary's First Nation played a major role in National Aboriginal Day celebrations in Fredericton Thursday.

More than 100 people gathered in Officers' Square to remember Rowena Sharpe, whose body was found in her home on the St Mary's First Nation in March.

Fredericton police said Sharpe, a 38-year-old mother of four, was murdered by her estranged husband whose body was also found in the home.

Sharpe was trying to rebuild her life after kicking her abusive husband out of the family home, her friends had said.

"It was horrific what happened to her and her whole family,” said Sara Rose, who organized the gathering.

“And like I said, this is a chance to showcase Aboriginal women in a different light so you can see us and why a death of an Aboriginal woman hits our community so hard because she represents the family."

This year's celebrations focused on Aboriginal women.

"I think it's important because, as mentioned, you know, women are at the heart of Aboriginal society,” said Marie-Claude Blais, the minister responsible for the status of women.

They are known as its "founders and keepers,” she said.

In Fredericton, the crowd formed a large circle around Aboriginal girls, swinging their hands to the beat of the song Strong Woman, sung by the Mother Earth Chanters.