The Cree Native Arts and Crafts Association held its 20th annual assembly September 1-3 in Waskaganish, bringing together artists, board members, arts committees and community leaders for cultural activities, workshops and performances.
CNACA President Dwayne Cox opened the assembly with a traditional hunting drum. Executive Director Dale Cooper presented a report to delegates on the organization’s work over the past year.
According to Cox, the three-day event helped participants connect with Cree traditions, including a visit to a fishing site, breakfast at Mama’s Cabin (a prominent community gathering site), traditional games, blueberry picking and a screening of the documentary James Bay 1975: The Shock of Two Nations at Rupert House Hall.
“The highlight for me was the fish included in the menu, a popular dish among the delegates,” Cox said. “We observed and learned how to set fish nets, prepare, clean and dry our harvest, then smoke the fish.”
On the second day, Waskaganish Chief Greta Whiskeychan Cheechoo shared stories about the community. Performances by local singers, musicians and dancers were a highlight.
The assembly ended with workshops covering subjects ranging from marketing and social media to funding, pricing, entrepreneurship and intellectual property, as well as painting, sewing and bead-making.
For Cox, promoting Cree artists goes beyond promoting Indigenous artwork; it also helps strengthen cultural identity.
“Supporting our artists and artisans is vital because it forms part of our history,” he said. “It not only showcases the beauty of Eeyou Istchee but also offers healing and opportunities for our artists and artisans.”
Cox also emphasized the importance of CNACA’s local arts committees that represent artists.
“Supporting these committees will help advance the arts industry,” he said. “They hold the key to helping our people shine and prosper.”
Cooper said the gathering was an opportunity to show members how much the organization has evolved and where it is headed.
“The goal with this annual assembly was to launch our new strategic plan 2026 to 2031,” he said.
The assembly included a review of CNACA’s annual report, financial statements and its new website, which Cooper described as “a mini social media that we’ve made for our members so they can share their artwork.”
The new strategic direction and website are part of a broader effort to modernize the organization while expanding opportunities for Cree artists, Cooper explained.
“We’re very excited about the organization,” he said. “It was really to showcase to the members a modern organization.”
Cooper said each Cree community displayed its own cultural heritage, noting that Waskaganish members introduced local ecosystems and practices and welcomed participants in a traditional camp.
Among the activities was fish scooping at the Smoky Hills site, where participants learned about catching Cisco, processing the fish and visited an archaeological site, Cooper said.
“What we’ve learned is that every community is different,” he continued. “Waskaganish is very much one of the older communities and offered its own distinct cultural experience, there’s a lot of traditions because of its location along the Rupert River, especially fish scooping.”
Cooper said CNACA is welcoming new artists working in modern music, contemporary jewellery and digital art. CNACA signed a memorandum of understanding with the Cree Nation Youth Council, he added, “with the goal of including youth more within our programming.”
More than 50 artists were involved throughout the event.
“What’s really important about arts and crafts is that it’s not just about the creation of arts, there’s a storytelling element behind it,” Cooper insisted. “These are traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation. It’s important for us as an organization to keep these traditions alive.”
CNACA provides artists with opportunities and funding to help build their artistic careers. “They can get the tools and resources they need to succeed,” Cooper added.
Cooper said some participants found the gathering therapeutic with the opportunity to spend time in nature and participate in traditional activities.
“This was such an impactful event for them and they felt very inspired,” he said. “It was connecting with the traditional side of things and forgetting the outside world as well as connecting with other artists.”