Indigenous

3 First Nations teams compete on new season of The Amazing Race Canada

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.

Season 11 has more Indigenous teams racing than ever before in the show's history

Couple posing
Blair and Skylene Gladue live in Edmonton. When they're not competing on The Amazing Race Canada, they can be found cheering on the Edmonton Oilers and working with youth. (CTV)

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. 

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Out of the 11 duos racing on The Amazing Race Canada this season, three of those teams are Indigenous, making this the season with the most Indigenous representation in the show's history. (CTV)

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.

LISTEN: Blair Gladue on The Amazing Race Canada: 
A new season of The Amazing Race Canada begins tonight and Edmontonians may recognize a familiar face among this season's racers. Blair Gladue is one of five participants from Alberta, competing with his partner Skylene. This isn't his first time in the limelight though as Edmonton Oilers fans know him as Superfan Magoo.

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.

Two women smiling
The Rebeccas, Rebecca Merasty and Rebecca Watt, are roommates living in Vancouver. They were motivated to race to see more Indigenous representation in mainstream media. (CTV)

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.

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Sibling team Grace Dove and Joe Syme from Prince George, B.C., are competing in the 11th season of The Amazing Race Canada. (CTV)

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.