Jo-Ann Saddleback started out her career as a television/film producer, script writer and host for Alberta Native Communications Society, ITV, CTV and Access Alberta. She was also an Associate Producer on 2 projects with National Film Board, community coordinator on Aboriginal films (small contract) and Production Manager for independent film. 

When her Father, Stan Daniels died, she took up his political legacy and forced the government to change the Native Child Welfare Act: for the first time giving Indigenous peoples a say in the future of their own children. She has since worked as a Policy Analyst/Researcher for women’s organizations writing the report: Violence Against Aboriginal Women; and Executive Director for Metis Settlements General Council heading up Legal and Governmental Affairs. She also worked as a community developer for 25 years, travelling across North America developing and delivering workshops on Culture, Health, Indigenous research processes, Roles and Rights of First Nations Women; and cross-cultural workshops for RCMP, Corrections Canada, Alberta Health, Healthcare workers across Canada and Alberta Justice judges and crown prosecutors. She is invited to make presentations at major conferences from the National Aboriginal Policy/Research Conference to the International Association of Women Police and National Police Vice issues. She worked diligently on the issue of Domestic Human Trafficking of Indigenous Women and their Children. She sat as Kôhkom for Alberta Justice/Aboriginal Sexual Assault Committee and co-authored its final Report; sits as Lead Elder for Canadian Research Initiative on Substance Misuse (CRISM -University of Alberta) and Co-Primary Investigator/co-author for Project PASPINAM; Elder Cultural Advisor for the City of Edmonton, Dreamspeakers and City of Edmonton Matriarch Circle.  Jo-Ann was Cultural Advisor to Truth & Reconciliation Commission when it was in Edmonton. Jo-Ann is invited to communities and various organizations to share Culture and history.

Jo-Ann went back to her artistic roots and is currently an Artist, poet, writer and designer.

She and her Husband Jerry Saddleback owned Câhcacêp Art and Tea House which featured gallery exhibits. Now it is Câhcacêp BowsArt. Jo-Ann is involved in many Indigenous arts initiatives and has been advisor to many Indigenous artists and art groups like Dave Garneau, Dawn Marie Marchand, Lana Whiskeyjack, and Ociciwan Indigenous art collective; and much more. She currently the Elder-in-Residence for the Edmonton Public Library and supports, promotes and helps to establish Indigenous writers, artists, filmmakers and Knowledge Keepers. Jo-Ann Saddleback is now a Playwright for Pemmican Collective working on a play and is also working on a film for 2024. She looks forward to keeping alive her writing roots.