Kettle Valley Memorial and the Penticton Chamber of Commerce are proud to recognize Ann Doyon, a nêhiyaw iskwew (Cree woman) and esteemed artist and writer, as a Top 40 recipient for her outstanding contributions to the arts and her dedication to shining a spotlight on Indigenous voices.
Ann’s career has received international acclaim with her artwork featured in collections across Turtle Island (also known as North and Central America).
Based on the lands of the Syilx people, Ann divides her time between her own company, Ann Doyon Art and Design, and as the production coordinator at Theytus Books, a 43-year-old Indigenous publishing company owned and operated by the Okanagan Indian Education Resources Society where the word Theytus, in Salish, means “preserving for the sake of handing down.”
Working at the En’owkin Centre on the Penticton Indian Band, Ann upholds Theytus Books’ mission of preserving Indigenous cultures and worldviews. At night, she can be found in studio 8 developing new art and performances as an artist in residence at the Leir House.
As a board member of the Penticton Art Gallery, Ann is committed to removing barriers, such as the cost of supplies and training by connecting businesses with programs that educate and inspire developing artists. Through her involvement with the Ullus Collective, Ann promotes both the healing power of art and also provides both time and tools to Indigenous artists who are still very underrepresented in the modern art world.
At Theytus Books, Ann emphasizes a commitment to cultural authenticity, preservation, and integrity in all projects and endeavours. Her role involves managing graphics and online advertising campaigns, but she also provides support to emerging Indigenous authors, illustrators, and artists by guiding them through the publishing process.
Esteemed, international authors like Waubgeshig Rice and Cherie Dimaline started at Theytus and have since taken over the world with their imaginations and storytelling.
Her own career as an artist has seen her work published in high profile media outlets like the National Post and CNN, but she was originally educated as a journalist, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Thompson Rivers University and a diploma in Print and Broadcast Journalism from Humber College.
Ann has been recognized with prestigious awards, including one of Canada’s inaugural New York Times Scholarships by the Native American Journalist Association, and can now add Penticton Top 40 to her long list of accomplishments.
