North Country Heritage Awards are given in four categories. The Adopted Traditions award Recognizes artists or practitioners who have mastered oral, musical, social or material expressions that are traditional, particularly those that are traditional to the North Country region; the practice was not learned within their family or community by inheritance but largely acquired by more formal study, such as classes, lessons, formal apprenticeship, reading, workshops with artists, etc.; first exposed and learned as adults, as a hobby or for recreation, etc.; often have become real students of the culture and context for the art, learned and taught consciously; often have become good teachers who pass the art and context on to others. Presented to individuals, families, or community groups.
You can learn more about these categories here.
