Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk to be featured in Amazing Race Canada

In next week’s episode of The Amazing Race Canada, eight teams travel to Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk, where they get a taste of Inuvialuit and Gwich’in culture and traditions.

The episode marks the most northern location the show has ever visited.

“The crew wanted to showcase the culture and people of the North, and so they really went out of their way to design the games,” said Mayor of Inuvik Peter Clarkson.

Clarkson said contestants spent the day, on April 30, immersed in Indigenous traditions. They sampled traditional foods like muskrat, muskox, muktuk and caribou, participated in a Gwich’in language challenge, competed in traditional games, and even tried their hand at dog mushing.

“It was a nice economic boost for both communities,” he said, adding that 40 locals were hired to support the production. “They hired musicians, shuttle bus drivers, drummers and dancers, and they filled up the Mackenzie Hotel.”

The mayor said he hopes the exposure will bring more visitors north.

“There’ll be lots of different components of northern culture and northern life showcased in the show,” he said. “Anytime you get 45 minutes of TV time about something happening in your community, that’s a win-win.”

Season 11 of the series features multiple Indigenous contestants, including Rebecca Watt, who is from Wrigley. She’s competing with her best friend, Rebecca Merasty, from Saskatchewan.

“We’re in the Race because we want to represent all Indigenous women all over the country, and also women that have gone through challenges and tough times,” said Watt in her introductory video with Merasty, the duo named themselves The Rebeccas.

“I’m breast cancer survivor and I want to be an inspiration to those that are going through a tough time,” she said.

The episode featuring the Arctic Ocean will be aired next Tuesday, July 29, on CTV.

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