Community leaders and youth from across northern Saskatchewan are meeting in Prince Albert for the Northern Symposium for Safer and Healthier Communities.

In the past, the event was known as the Northern Justice Symposium — but this year, the focus has been expanded to include other topics like health, addictions, cognitive disabilities and suicide prevention.

New North spokesperson Matt Heley says Wednesday will feature a special event:

“We have the Northern Excellence Awards — which are pretty unique, I think.  We honour five or six individuals, communities and organizations that have had a very positive impact on northern Saskatchewan.”

Awards will be presented to a northern citizen, community, elder, youth, community organization and professional.

The three-day symposium is taking place at the E.A. Rawlinson Centre for the Arts and wraps up on Thursday.