A 250km bike ride in Northern Saskatchewan is meant to bring attention to the high rate of suicide among Indigenous youth.

The 8th Annual Youth Suicide Prevention and Awareness Bike Trek started this (Wed) morning from the Flying Dust First Nation near Meadow Lake.

The ride to the English River First Nation is also meant to bring comfort to families who have experienced youth suicide.

FSIN Vice Chief David Pratt says the event underscores the need to invest in youth mental health.

Pratt points to Fon-Du-Lac as one community that has been hit hard. A fatal plane crash in January was followed by the suicides of a 15 year old boy and 14 year old girl.

Pratt says a fire fighter from the community took his life over the weekend while two other young people in Northern Saskatchewan also committed suicide.

The FSIN’s suicide prevention strategy adopted in May has been submitted to the Provincial and Federal Governments.