About Us

The name Makoché comes from the Lakota word for earth: maka, and there is no true equivalent in the English language. The word refers to the land, to family, and the interdependency of all living things. The name was given to us by Cedric Goodhouse and the respected Lakota Elder the late Joe Flying By.

When Makoché Studios opened, it was recognized with the prestigious  “Room of the Year” award by Mix Magazine. The studio quickly became a haven for Native American Artists, producing award winning releases for Kevin Locke, Andrew Vasquez, Joseph Fire Crow, Sissy Goodhouse and the Grammy Nominated drum group, Lakota Thunder. The label Makoché began releasing work by our artists in 1995. The music presented is primarily influenced by Native American culture, both traditional and contemporary. 

Makoché artists have been recognized over the years by our peers, including 2 Grammy nominations and 2 dozen Native American Music Awards (NAMMYS). Music produced by Makoché has contributed to numerous films including productions by Ken Burns for Florentine Films - Lewis & Clark, Horatio's Drive, Benjamin Franklin, The National Parks - America's Best Idea and the highly anticipated American Buffalo to be released in October 2023. The accompanying soundtrack for American Buffalo will feature a number of Makoché artists and be released on our label.