Jeannette Armstrong is an author, poet, visual artist, and activist. Her widely-acclaimed book, Slash (1985), was the first novel written by a Native woman in Canada. Her other novels include Whispering in Shadows (2000), Neekna and Chemai (1984), and Enwhisteetkwa/Walk in Water (1982). Her collection of poetry is Breathtracks (1991).Armstrong received the Mungo Martin Award in 1974, and the Helen Pitt Memorial Award in 1978 for her writing. She has recently been awarded the 2003 Buffet Award for Indigenous Leadership.

Armstrong is the editor of Looking at the Words of our People: First Nations Analysis of Literature (1993) and the co-editor of Give Back: First Nations Perspectives on Cultural Practice (1992), Aboriginal Perspectives of the Natural Environment (1991), and the recent anthology, Native Poetry in Canada: A Contemporary Anthology (2001). Her essays have appeared in many journals and collections including Speaking for the Generations: Native Writers on Native Writing (1998) and An Anthology of Canadian Native Literature in English (1998).

Armstrong currently serves as Executive Director of the En’owkin Centre, located in Penticton, B.C. The indigenous cultural, educational, ecological, and creative arts post-secondary institution practices and implements indigenous knowledge and systems. Here Armstrong founded the first creative writing program in Canada that is managed by, and operated for, Aboriginal people. She has served as a consultant to environmental and social change organizations including the Centre for Ecoliteracy, the Esalen Institute, Omega Institute, Centre for Creative Change and World Institute for Humanities at Salado.

As an indigenous rights activist, Armstrong serves as an international observer to the Continental Coordinating Commission of Indigenous Peoples and Organizations. She was also appointed one of seven Indigenous Judges to the First Nations Court of Justice called by the Chiefs of Ontario and to the Council of Listeners in the International Testimonials on Violations of Indigenous Sovereignty for the United Nations.

Jeannette Armstrong received a Bachelors of Fine Arts from the University of Victoria in 1978 and recently received an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from St. Thomas University in 2000. Armstrong is a fluent speaker of the Okanagan language and has studied traditional teachings for many years under the direction of the Okanagan elders.