[1] An Oji-Cree member of the Peguis First Nation in Manitoba,[2] he began publishing poetry while pursuing undergraduate studies at the University of Winnipeg.

[3] After he started graduate studies in indigenous literature at the University of Calgary, Talonbooks published his debut poetry collection Full-Metal Indigiqueer in 2017.

[2] The book initially received a Lambda Literary Award nomination for Transgender Poetry at the 30th Lambda Literary Awards in 2018, although Whitehead withdrew the book from consideration as the category was a misrepresentation of his identity as a two-spirit, not transgender, person.

[10] Jonny Appleseed won the 2021 Canada Reads competition, championed by Kawennáhere Devery Jacobs.

[12] Writers featured in the anthology include Nathan Niigan Noodin Adler, Darcie Little Badger, Gabriel Castilloux Calderon, Adam Garnet Jones, Mari Kurisato, Kai Minosh Pyle, David Alexander Robertson, jaye simpson and Nazbah Tom.