Both sides, now: After 62 years, Canada’s Joni Mitchell becomes an American, too

Celebrated Canadian folk singer Joni Mitchell has officially become an American citizen after six decades living in the U.S.

The soon-to-be 83-year-old shared the news on her social media channels Tuesday, posting a photo of herself standing in front of an American flag — while holding another smaller one, with a third visible on her blouse — following her naturalization ceremony this week.

“A journey that began 62 years ago,” she captioned the posts.

She also shared a brief video clip of her name being announced and applause as she stands for her mandatory oath of allegiance.

National Post has contacted Mitchell’s representatives for comment on why she’s obtained citizenship.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame singer-songwriter of 19 studio albums has previously expressed interest in voting in U.S. elections. Becoming naturalized affords her the same voting rights as someone born in the U.S.

During a performance in October 2024, just before the last presidential election, Mitchell said “f— Donald Trump,” and urged people to get out to vote, per Billboard. 

“This is an important one. I wish I could vote — I’m Canadian. I’m one of those lousy immigrants,” she said with a laugh as a crowd of roughly 17,000 stood to praise her.

Mitchell, born Roberta Joan Anderson in Fort Macleod, Alta., in 1943, was raised in Saskatoon, moved to Toronto in 1964 and then to Detroit not long after with her husband, musician Chuck Mitchell, both looking to make it as recording artists in the U.S.

After their marriage ended, she moved to New York, where she released her debut album Song to a Seagull in 1968 and her breakthrough sophomore record Clouds the following year.

Around that time, Mitchell moved to Los Angeles, and she remains in California to this day, residing in the central seaside city of Santa Barbara.

According to the New York Times, voter registration for the Nov. 3 midterm elections in Santa Barbara closes on Oct. 19.

Mitchell, who retains her Canadian citizenship, returned to Canada this year to be honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Junos, presented by Prime Minister Mark Carney, who said her songs “brought to life beauty in every Canadiana.”

“Geese in chevron flight. A little money riding on the Maple Leafs. A river to skate away on,” he said, referencing songs Urge for Going, Raised on Robbery and The River.

He added: “Joni drew a map of Canada, Oh Canada,” a reference to her hit A Case of You.

Of the more than 8,000 covers of her music, Carney said one of his favourites is her own updated version of 1969’s Both Sides, Now.

Where the first is “a young poet too seemingly at peace with newfound revelations about love,” the 2000 track replaced that with “the raw vulnerability of a woman who has lived, and like so many of us, finds humility in the mystery of it all.”

“The same words brilliantly imagined by the artist to reveal the song’s enduring truth that something is lost, but something’s gained in living every day,” Carney said.

“Music, Canada, has gained from Joni Mitchell living every one of her days.”

Mitchell was quick to shout out Carney in return during her brief acceptance speech, twice calling him a “wonderful prime minister” and later “a blessing,” drawing cheers from the audience.

“We are so fortunate to have him. I’m living in the States, and you know what’s happening there,” she said with a laugh.

Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com and sign up for our newsletters here.