Nominations are officially open for the 2014 Annual Métis Awards which take place next month in Regina.

The awards, which are hosted by the Wiichihiwayshinawn Foundation, will take place Sept. 27 at Queensbury Convention Centre.

As part of the event, Métis people will be honoured in a number of different categories including social justice, journalism and most honourable woman.

Awards spokesperson Samantha Racette says unfortunately accomplishments of Métis people often go unrecognized.

“The Métis pride is there but a lot of people aren’t coming out and supporting what we’re doing,” she says.

Racette says the awards were initially started three years ago to give Métis women the recognition they deserve.

“There’s not enough programs and services, we don’t have treaty rights, you know, we don’t have anything like that. So, we wanted to be able to provide things like bursaries and awards to be able to help to eliminate some of those barriers that Métis women might be struggling with.”

One of the featured guests at this year’s awards will be Métis singer Andrea Menard.

For more information on the nomination process or the awards ceremony go to the Wiichihiwayshinawn Foundation website at http://www.metiswomanregina.ca/awards/.