She says that Armstrong compels readers through this novel to consider her text in ways that may be unfamiliar to them. Jones suggests that an innovative critical reading approach is essential to appreciate Armstrong's work and satisfy the goals of the Okanagan Indian Curriculum Project. Armstrong is dedicated to the advancement of literature and the arts among First Nations people and the realization and promotion of the distinct artistic forms of Aboriginal people in the international arts and literary community (Creative 126). Armstrong's insights as an educator, creative force, and activist are respected by First Nations individuals and international audiences alike. Awards and honours 1974: Mungo Martin Award for First Nations people in education for Native art 1978: Helen Pitt Memorial Award support of emerging artists 2000: Honorary Doctorate in Letters, St. Thomas University 2003: Buffett Award for Aboriginal Leadership in recognition of Armstrong's work as an educator, community leader and Indigenous rights activist 2016: George Woodcock Lifetime Achievement Award 2017: BC Community Achievement Award community involvement particularly with language teacher training and developing traditional languages Selected publications Novels 1990: Slash. 1985/Rev. ed. Penticton, BC: Theytus 2000: Whispering in Shadows. Penticton, BC: Theytus Short stories 1990: "This is a Story," in All My Relations: An Anthology of Contemporary Canadian Native Fiction. Thomas King, ed. Toronto: McClelland & Stewart p. 129–135. Poetry "A History Lesson" 1991: Breath Tracks. Stratford, ON: Williams-Wallace/Penticton, BC: Theytus 1992: "Trickster Time" in Voices: Being Native in Canada. Linda Jaine and Drew Hayden Taylor, eds. Saskatoon: Extension Division, U of Saskatchewan p. 1–5. Anthologies edited 1993: Looking at the Words of Our People: First Nations Analysis of Literature. Penticton, BC: Theytus 1993: We Get Our Living Like Milk from the Land. Researched and Compiled by the Okanagan Rights Committee and the Okanagan Indian Education Resource Society. Penticton: Theytus (with Lee Maracle et al.) 2001: Native Poetry in Canada: A Contemporary Anthology. Peterborough, ON: Broadview (with Lally Grauer) Children's books 1982: Enwisteetkwa (Walk in Water). Penticton, BC: Okanagan Indian Curriculum Project/ Okanagan Tribal Council 1984: Neekna and Chemai Penticton, BC: Theytus (illustrated by Kenneth Lee Edwards) 1991: Neekna and Chemai 2nd ed.Penticton, BC: Theytus (illustrated by Barbara Marchand) Criticism 1988: "Traditional Indigenous Education: A Natural Process." in Tradition Change Survival: The Answers Are within Us. Vancouver: UBC First Nations House 1989: "Bridging Cultures." Columbiana: Journal of the Intermountain Northwest 30 : 28–30. 1989: "Cultural Robbery: Imperialism – Voices