“A JOURNEY THAT BEGAN 62 YEARS AGO”: Joni Mitchell Becomes a U.S. Citizen at 82

Joni Mitchell has spent more than 60 years making music in the United States. This week, at 82, she made it official: Joni Mitchell is now a U.S. citizen.

The singer-songwriter shared the news on Instagram with a photo of herself holding an American flag and a video from her naturalization ceremony. Her caption: “A journey that began 62 years ago.” The news was reported by CNN, The Guardian and CBC News.

Still Canadian, too

Mitchell keeps her Canadian citizenship, so she is now a dual citizen. Born in Alberta and raised in Saskatchewan, she is one of Canada’s most celebrated artists, and her roots remain a big part of her story and her songs.

Six decades in America

Mitchell moved to the US in the 1960s and built her career there, from the folk clubs of that era to the landmark albums that made her one of the most influential songwriters of the 20th century. Records such as Blue and Court and Spark still shape how artists write about love, freedom and loss.

A late-career chapter

Her story in recent years has been one of remarkable return. After a brain aneurysm in 2015, she worked her way back to the stage, and in 2023 she received the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.

Why it struck a chord

For fans, the moment was a reminder of how long Mitchell has been part of American culture, while never fully leaving Canada behind. After 62 years, the paperwork has finally caught up with the music.

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Sources: CNN; The Guardian; Billboard.

Featured image: Statue of Liberty and Upper New York Bay from Valentino Pier by Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.