OUJÉ-BOUGOUMOU, April 4, 2011 - The Cree Native Arts & Crafts Association (CNACA) is proud to announce the winners of the first CNACA - Eeyou Istchee Achievement Awards. This event took place in Nemaska on March 31, 2011.

The CNACA - Eeyou Istchee Achievement Awards honours Cree talent from Eeyou Istchee.  The award is given to individual(s) for their contribution to the Music Industry Category in Eeyou Istchee.

This three-hour showcase featured performances by the winners of the CNACA - Eeyou Istchee Achievement Awards. The Cree winners are:

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OUJÉ-BOUGOUMOU, March 17, 2011 - The Cree Native Arts & Crafts Association (CNACA) is proud to announce that the CNACA - Eeyou Istchee Achievement Awards will take place on March 31, 2011 in Nemaska.  The event will be FREE and the doors will open at 7 p.m.

This event, CNACA - Eeyou Istchee Achievement Awards, will honour Cree talent from Eeyou Istchee in the Music Industry Category.  A Lifetime Achievement award in music will also be handed out.  Who will it be?  You will have to attend to find out.

OUJÉ-BOUGOUMOU, January 28, 2011 - The Cree Native Arts & Crafts Association (CNACA) announces today that the 2011 Juno Awards have nominated the Cree duo "CerAmony".   They are Pakesso Mukash from Whapmagoostui and Matthew Iserhoff from Mistissini.   They are nominated in the "Aboriginal Album of the Year" category. 

CerAmony already has an award from the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards in the Best Song Writer(s) category. This award was given to an individual(s) based on a body of work (at least three songs) English, French or Aboriginal language.

OUJÉ-BOUGOUMOU, October 1, 2010 - The Cree Native Arts & Crafts Association (CNACA) announces today that Waskaganish will be the location of the Regional Traditional Sewing Training program.  The dates are confirmed from November 15 - December 3, 2010, a total duration of 3 weeks (15 days).

This anticipated training has been in the planning stages for quite some time and it is the beginning of many more other trainings to come.  The goals to this training initiative are to preserve and protect the authenticity of the Cree traditional sewing techniques.

Fifteen (15) Cree participants from Eeyou Istchee will be chosen to participate in the unique opportunity to learn the Cree traditional way to sewing.   Space is limited and the youth will be given priority!  Applications are available or submit a letter/resume to apply.  Deadline is on October 22, 2010 for applicants.

The objective of the training is to pass knowledge from one generation to another, to share know-how, to increase quality and productivity, to raise the interest of youngsters in arts and crafts and to perpetuate Cree traditions.   Training is aimed at newcomers as well as experienced artists and artisans and is offered by masters in their respective discipline.

The trainers are yet to be chosen to conduct the training.  Presently, we are still searching for the right trainers for this training.  If you are interested in being a trainer, please contact our office as soon as possible.  We are seeking highly motivated, with the expertise and traditional knowledge on tradition sewing techniques.

Furthermore, we are requesting from the Cree Hunters from Eeyou Istchee to help by supplying Moose and Caribou tanned hides for the training.  A reasonable compensation or purchase price can be made to those who wish to supply their hide(s).

The sewing training course is made possible with the help and financial contribution from our partners; Niskamoon, Cree Nation Youth Council (FRIJ), Cree Nation of Waskaganish (Cultural Department) and the Waskaganish Elders Council.

For more information or to register as a participant or to donate your hide, please contact; Darryl S. Hester, Special Projects and Events Coordinator