Michael Manzo: Indigenous Canoe Builder, Iraq War Veteran, and Life Below Zero: Next Generation Star

Michael Manzo rose to national attention as one of the standout personalities on National Geographic’s Life Below Zero: Next Generation—a reality series that chronicled the lives of self-reliant Alaskans carving out a future off the grid. Premiering in 2020, the show followed a new generation of homesteaders, hunters, and craftspeople who rejected modern comforts to embrace the extreme challenges of Alaska’s wilderness. Michael Manzo appeared prominently in the first two seasons (2020–2021), before stepping away from the series. The show continued for several more years, documenting the evolving lives of other off-grid Alaskans until its conclusion after seven seasons in 2024.

As a veteran, Indigenous canoe builder, and sled dog musher, Manzo brought a unique voice to the series, blending traditional Mi’kmaq values with hard-earned survival skills. His story—from Iraq war combat zones to frozen rivers and custom canoes—embodied the resilience and spiritual depth that the series sought to highlight. His journey from the war zones of Iraq to the remote rivers and tundras of Alaska has shaped a mission rooted in cultural preservation, self-reliance, and community empowerment.

Early Life and Heritage

Born in 1981, Michael Manzo is currently 43 years old as of March 2025. Originally from Maine, he has lived in towns such as Millinocket, Patten, and Smyrna Mills. He is a registered member of the Band of Aroostook Mi’kmaq in Presque Isle. His roots run deep in Indigenous craftsmanship — his grandmother was a renowned basket, snowshoe, and paddle maker from the Eel Ground Reserve in New Brunswick, Canada. Her legacy, featured in the book Our Lives in Our Hands, deeply influenced Michael’s hands-on approach to building and design.

Military Service and the Call of Alaska

After completing three one-year combat tours in Iraq with the C-84th Engineers Combat Heavy Company, Manzo moved to Alaska in 2002. Seeking healing and direction, he enrolled at Alaska Pacific University and graduated in 2014 with a degree in Sustainable Studies. His time in the military instilled a sense of discipline and endurance that continues to serve him in the harsh environments of interior Alaska.

Yukon Freightworks Canoe Company

Manzo is the founder and lead designer of Yukon Freightworks Canoe Co., Alaska’s only freighter canoe company. Operating from a 120’x40’ workshop in Delta Junction, he has hand-built dozens of custom canoes for subsistence families, adventurers, and youth programs. His designs are field-tested on wild rivers and optimized for heavy loads, poling, paddling, and small outboard motors.

His workshop also produces freighter sleds, which he tests during winter caribou hunts with his team of 11 Alaskan Malamutes.

Life Below Zero: Next Generation

Michael gained national attention as a cast member on National Geographic’s Life Below Zero: Next Generation. Appearing in 19 episodes from 2020–2021, he showcased his off-grid lifestyle, resilience, and the philosophies that guide his choices. His motto, shared in a 2021 Facebook post by the show, is:

“There’s a cure for restlessness in the human spirit and that’s not getting too comfortable — that’s pushing the boundaries and facing the unknown, facing your fears.”

The series introduced audiences to his boat-building, sled dog training, and winter survival skills, amplifying his voice on issues facing Indigenous communities.

In Season 1, viewers saw Michael travel Alaska’s waterways in search of moose (“Declaration of Independence”), forage from his surroundings (“Unknown and Uncharted”), and hand-build a canoe in an episode aptly titled “Living on the Edge.” He trained his dog team ahead of winter (“The Struggle Begins”) and prepared them for a harsh camping trip as the ice arrived (“The Ice Harvest”).

Season 2 continued his journey with deeper bushcraft challenges—broadening his hunting grounds (“In the Blood”), navigating treacherous rivers (“Hard Luck”), and racing against nature to build a future cabin (“Ghost in the Woods”). He taught dog-handling techniques (“The Challenge”), tested his limits on wild terrain (“Change of Plans”), and pushed forward with his fish camp (“Unfinished Business”).

Despite his consistent presence in Seasons 1 and 2, Michael did not return for Season 3. There has been no official explanation for his departure, although it’s speculated that he may have chosen to focus more fully on his canoe company, Yukon Freightworks.

Sled Dogs and Cultural Preservation

Manzo is a strong advocate for preserving Alaska Native traditions, particularly the role of sled dogs. He laments the decline of dog mushing as a way of life, replaced largely by sport, and links this cultural erosion to broader issues like youth suicide, substance abuse, and disconnection.

“These are dog people… mushers… it was a sense of pride.”

For him, sled dogs are more than transportation — they are emotional motivators and spiritual partners in survival. His team of Alaskan Malamutes is trained on both wooded trails and sea ice, capable of hauling caribou, sheefish, cabin tents, wood stoves, and large caches of supplies. He routinely tests their capabilities during winter caribou hunts in the treeless regions of the Northwest Arctic and in interior Alaska. These experiences are not only practical but also reinforce the deep bond between musher and dog — a living connection to generations of subsistence culture and traditional lifeways.

Veteran-Led Community Engagement

In July 2020, Michael invited local paddlers and craftsmen to join a collaborative canoe-design project. His vision included skill-sharing workshops and youth engagement, with a goal of donating finished canoes to educational programs.

His customer base spans from rural subsistence hunters to eccentric explorers. Despite the physical intensity and solitude of his work, Manzo emphasizes that building and preserving require collaboration:

“You can’t just do it by yourself. It takes a group.”

Personal Reflections and Resilience

In candid moments captured on video, Manzo reveals his emotional depth — from speaking about his late grandmother to using music, like Bill Withers’ “Grandma’s Hands”, to process memory and grief.

“I miss my grandma so much… That’s why I like that song.”

Even when working on imperfect crafts or confronting wildlife, Manzo maintains a philosophy of acceptance and effort:

“It’s not perfect, but I put a lot of work into it. Nobody in this world is perfect.”

Legacy in Motion

Today, Michael Manzo continues to build canoes, freight sleds, and community — exploring the possibility of expanding his operations into Hondo, Alberta and Dyer Brook, Maine.his work has been featured by National Geographic and followed by fans across North America. Through storytelling, teaching, and traditional craftsmanship, Manzo is not only surviving Alaska — he’s helping others reconnect with land, identity, and purpose.

Michael Manzo – Quick Facts

Full Name	Michael Manzo
Born	1981
Age	43 (as of March 2025)
Origin	Maine, United States
Tribal Affiliation	Band of Aroostook Mi’kmaq, Presque Isle, ME
Occupation	Canoe Builder, Sled Dog Musher, Veteran
Known For	Life Below Zero: Next Generation (Seasons 1–2)
Military Service	U.S. Army, 3 combat tours in Iraq (C-84th Engineers Combat Heavy Co.)
Education	B.A. in Sustainable Studies, Alaska Pacific University (2014)
Business	Founder of Yukon Freightworks Canoe Co.
Notable Locations	Delta Junction (AK), Smyrna Mills, Patten, Millinocket (ME)
Television	National Geographic (2020–2021)
Dog Team	11 Alaskan Malamutes trained for freight hauling
Craft Specialty	Freighter Canoes & Sleds
Active Projects	Youth canoe-building programs, subsistence transport solutions