SASKATCHEWAN — Rebecca Merasty and Rebecca Wyatt were pleased to see Indigenous representation in this year’s season of The Amazing Race Canada. They are one of three Indigenous teams competing in Season 11, which airs starting Tuesday, July 8.
“We all feel pretty good about seeing this much Indigenous representation going on in mainstream media, especially on a show that is supposed to be representative of Canada,” said Merasty, who grew up in Meadow Lake.
“We're like, it's about time. At the same time, it's also an honour. It is very exciting,” added Wyatt, who is from the First Nation Designated Authority of Wrigley in the Dehcho Region in the Northwest Territories.
The other two Indigenous teams are siblings Grace Dove and Joe Syme of Prince George, and a couple Skylene and Blair Gladue of Edmonton.
Although the Rebeccas stayed tight-lipped about the challenges and other details of this year’s season, they said that their rural roots gave them an edge, drawing on experiences from growing up in small communities to their advantage.
“We’re used to just a particular way of life, with both of us growing and coming from very rural, small towns. We expected some challenges we faced and moved through them the way that we could with the strength and resilience from what we’ve learned from our communities, the people who raised us, and our ancestors,” said Merasty.
“I don't think a lot of the challenges came as a surprise. We were in a mindset of expecting the unexpected. That helped a lot. Coming from where we come from, we grew up doing a lot of different things. And we grew up outside. Various types of challenges come to those in smaller communities,” added Wyatt.
They said they used their imagination to stay active and healthy, which also prepared them for the physical, mental and emotional rigours of the race’s challenges, as it built their resilience and adaptability.
The Rebeccas said they acted their usual bubbly and energetic selves right from the start — something that caught the attention of the casting directors and producers. Merasty, in their video audition, introduced herself with Wyatt jumping out of nowhere.
“We hilariously introduced ourselves. I said, ‘Hi, my name is Rebecca,’” said Merasty.
“And I popped out from behind her [Merasty] and said, ‘I'm also Rebecca.’ Then, it was chaos from there on,” said Wyatt.
They added that being both named Rebecca and Indigenous was an added factor in earning a spot this season. The duo met at a Calgary Indigenous art fashion show in 2016 and, from there, became best friends, sisters and roommates, now both based in Vancouver.
“They were doing a name call for the models. They called Rebecca, and we both stood up; we looked at each other. Then they ended up calling me first,” said Merasty.
“Then they called me next. From then on, we just became best friends and roommates. Besties for life,” added Wyatt.
Merasty works as a model, commercial actor and assistant in Vancouver’s styling industry, while Wyatt is a social worker and entrepreneur.
Ashley Callingbull and her father, Joel Ground, were the first Indigenous team to compete in The Amazing Race Canada, in Season 4 in 2016. Two-Spirit Indigenous couple Anthony Johnson and James Makokis won Season 7.
Taylor McPherson from the Miawpukek First Nation won last season with her best friend, Katie Mulkay. Michael and Amari Linklater were the first father-son team to compete in Season 10.
