James Pinesii Whetung is a Michi Saagig Anishnabe. His mother's clan is Otter and his father's clan is Black Duck. He was born and lives in Oshkigamong where he learned from his elders and relatives how to live well in the bush.

Whetung is a graduate of Trent University where he earned a BA in Native Studies/Cultural Studies. He is a lifelong artist and views the Manomin beds he nurtures as his living, edible, waterscapes.  As an adult, Whetung began an intensive, long term relationship with the plant Manomin. After learning how to traditionally gather and process enough wild rice to feed his family, Whetung learned from elders in his and other villages how to process the seeds into food for many people. He learned to gather and plant the seeds in places his elders told him where wild rice once grew to reestablish the Manomin garden in his area.

Whetung believes that ignorance of Anishnabe culture was a main factor in the eradication of wild rice around his and other reserves in Ontario. What had once been a staple had become only a memory for most band members in his village. He also noticed that as access to traditional foods in Anishinabe communities declined so did their good health. Whetung's long term goal is to Put the rice back in Rice Lake!