Picture a Canadian storyteller who weaves glitter, grit, and Indigenous wisdom into every page—meet Joshua Whitehead! An Oji-Cree, Two-Spirit poet and novelist from Manitoba’s Peguis First Nation, Whitehead has taken the literary world by storm with his bold exploration of Indigiqueer identity. His debut novel, Jonny Appleseed, and poetry collection, Full-Metal Indigiqueer, have earned accolades for their raw emotion and groundbreaking voice, making him a vital figure in contemporary Indigenous literature.
With a style that dances between cyberpunk poetry and heartfelt prose, Whitehead’s work challenges stereotypes and celebrates Two-Spirit resilience. Ready to dive into a world where tradition meets rebellion? Let’s explore the journey of this literary trailblazer.
The Making of Joshua Whitehead
Born into the Peguis First Nation on Treaty 1 territory in Manitoba, Joshua Whitehead grew up navigating the complexities of urban and reserve life. Raised in Selkirk, he found solace in the local library’s internet, crafting digital personas in games like Lineage II, which later inspired his poetic trickster, Zoa. His love for beatnik literature—think Jack Kerouac and Kurt Vonnegut—sparked a passion for storytelling. While pursuing undergraduate studies at the University of Winnipeg, Whitehead began publishing poetry, laying the foundation for his literary career. His academic journey continued at the University of Calgary, where he’s now an assistant professor, diving deep into Indigenous literatures and cultures for his PhD.
Joshua Whitehead’s Unforgettable Stories
Whitehead’s debut poetry collection, Full-Metal Indigiqueer (2017), is a genre-bending explosion of cyberpunk-infused verse. Centered on Zoa, a trickster figure who channels pop icons like RuPaul, it explores Indigiqueer identity with wit and defiance. The collection earned a nomination for a Lambda Literary Award, though Whitehead withdrew it from the Transgender Poetry category, asserting his Two-Spirit identity over Western labels. His debut novel, Jonny Appleseed (2018), follows a Two-Spirit/Indigiqueer cybersex worker returning to his reserve for his stepfather’s funeral. This vivid, non-linear tale blends love, trauma, and glittery resilience, earning the Lambda Literary Award for Gay Fiction and the 2021 Canada Reads crown, championed by Devery Jacobs.
In 2020, Whitehead edited Love After the End: An Anthology of Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer Speculative Fiction, amplifying emerging 2SQT voices. His 2022 essay collection, Making Love with the Land, merges memoir, manifesto, and literary theory, offering a raw look at queerness, Indigeneity, and personal loss. Whitehead’s style—fluid, poetic, and unapologetically Indigenous—rejects linear narratives for “NDN time,” weaving past, present, and future into a dreamlike tapestry.
Why Joshua Whitehead Matters
Whitehead’s work is a beacon for Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer youth, offering a mirror for those rarely seen in literature. By centering Indigenous and queer identities, he challenges colonial narratives and reclaims space for joy, desire, and healing. His Canada Reads win brought Jonny Appleseed to a wider audience, sparking conversations about Two-Spirit resilience and the ongoing impacts of settler colonialism. As part of an “Indigenous renaissance,” alongside writers like Billy-Ray Belcourt and Eden Robinson, Whitehead is reshaping Canadian literature with stories that are both ancient and revolutionary.
About Joshua Whitehead
- Heritage: Oji-Cree/nehiyaw, Two-Spirit/Indigiqueer member of Peguis First Nation.
- Key Works: Full-Metal Indigiqueer (2017), Jonny Appleseed (2018), Love After the End (2020), Making Love with the Land (2022).
- Awards: Lambda Literary Award for Gay Fiction (2019), Canada Reads (2021), Governor General’s History Award (2016).
- Current Role: Assistant professor at the University of Calgary.
Image: Portrait of Joshua Whitehead, smiling thoughtfully in a cozy sweater, capturing his warm, reflective energy. Alt text: Portrait of Joshua Whitehead, a Two-Spirit Oji-Cree author.
Image: Book cover of Jonny Appleseed, featuring vibrant, abstract art symbolizing Indigenous identity and resilience. Alt text: Cover of Jonny Appleseed by Joshua Whitehead.
Snag Jonny Appleseed or Full-Metal Indigiqueer and dive into Whitehead’s dazzling world of glitter, grit, and Indigiqueer magic!