OTTAWA - It's four years to the day since Stephen Harper brought together aboriginal groups, opposition parties and churches in offering an unfettered apology for residential schools.

But many of those who hoped for progress and reconciliation in 2008 now say Harper's words ring hollow.

Crowds of First Nations school children were marching in the street near Parliament Hill and in smaller groups across the country, demanding equal funding for education, telling Harper he should not need to apologize twice.

And National Chief Shawn Atleo says that while the apology helped Canadians to see First Nations more clearly, they are still not being heard — a situation he says needs to change quickly to avoid conflict.

But Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan says history can't be undone overnight, and says progress is being made on many fronts.