3 First Nations teams compete on new season of The Amazing Race Canada
Season 11 has more Indigenous teams racing than ever before in the show's history
In the new season of The Amazing Race Canada, three of the 11 teams racing for the win are made up of First Nations competitors.
One of those teams is husband and wife duo Blair and Skylene Gladue.
Despite the intensity of the race, Blair said the best part of the experience was connecting with so many other First Nations teams.
"We lifted each other up," he said.
"We love each other, respect each other and we're family."
Blair, a Cree entertainer from Calling Lake, Alta., is better known as Superfan Magoo, a die-hard Edmonton Oilers fan who can be spotted hyping up the crowd at most Oilers games.
His teammate is his wife Skylene Gladue, a Cree and Dane-zaa performer and fashion designer from Beaver First Nation in northern Alberta. Skylene is the founder of Nipîy Iskwew Designs and her From Rez to the Runway workshops empower youth to explore all aspects of the fashion industry.
The couple works with the Magoo Crew, an anti-bullying motivational speaking group that leads youth workshops in Indigenous communities.
"The show really tests your relationship," Blair said.
"It's hard. If you've ever watched it on TV, It's 10 times harder in real life."
Blair's only regret about joining the show? Missing the Oilers' first two playoff rounds while filming.
He'll be watching the season premiere at home with friends and family, while Skylene tunes in from New York where she's touring as Jan in Bear Grease, a First Nations twist on the musical Grease.
Another First Nations duo racing this season are Vancouver-based best friends and roommates Rebecca Merasty and Rebecca Watt, or as they're called on the show, The Rebeccas.
Merasty is Cree from Flying Dust First Nation in Saskatchewan and Watt is Dehcho Dene from Pehdzeh Ki First Nation in Wrigley, N.W.T.
"Initially the excitement of being on a show that is well represented throughout the world was encouraging and motivating but digging a little deeper, being Indigenous women coming from small communities, this could be an opportunity for us to be represented in mainstream media," said Merasty, who works as a model.
"Our biggest message is for all those the youth out there that come from small communities to dream big. You can make it happen. If you can dream it, you can do it."
Model Ashley Callingbull and her father Joel Ground were the first First Nations duo to compete in the race in 2016. In 2019, Anthony Johnson and James Makokis became the first Indigenous team to win the race.
For the Rebeccas, a highlight of the season came on day one, when they noticed a familiar face among their competitors: their friend actor Grace Dove.
"That was just the most beautiful and funniest surprise ever, turning around and seeing her face," said Merasty.
Dove, known for her roles in The Revenant, Alaska Daily and Bones of Crows, is Secwépemc from Canim Lake in B.C. She's racing with her brother, Joe Syme.
In a preview, Syme said he's most excited to explore parts of Canada never seen. Dove said she's looking forward to the competition and spending time with her brother.
The winning team of The Amazing Race Canada's 11th season will receive two Chevrolet Blazers, a trip around the world and $250,000 in cash.