Manitoban Roots Artist Mitchell Makoons Reflects and Heals on New Single “Changing Man”

Incorporating traditional Ojibway music and culture with modern influences, roots/rock musician Mitchell Makoons has received radio play across Canada, United States and on SiriusXM with three of his singles reaching top 10 on the Indigenous Music Countdown. 

Formerly known as Mitchell Mozdzen, he released five EPs under his legal name accompanied by their own Western Canadian tour. In early 2021, Makoons decided to change his stage name to something that nodded to his Ojibway heritage. Makoons is an Anishinaabemowin word that means “Little Bear or Bear Cub.” Since Mitchell Mozdzen’s spirit name is “Standing Strong Black Bear” and he is only 5’5, this name is perfectly fitting.

Makoons suffered over two dozen concussions throughout his adolescent years as a result of sports. By the age of 18, he was battling alcoholism as a means of coping with the concussions’ impact on his mental/physical health. During the pandemic, Makoons realized that he needed to make a positive change and sought help from his doctor. Over the course of a couple years, he saw tremendous improvements. In 2021, his head injury was finally healed enough to be cleared for sports for the first time in a decade. 

“I’m in a new chapter of my life now,” Makoons says. “I’m no longer scared of my own fatality, every second of the day. I focus on fostering great relationships with people and writing music that the world can connect with. I am a changing man.”