Meredith Kerr
Journal Staff
Team Ahkameyimok was among the final five teams on The Amazing Race Canada after finishing second in the seventh leg of the race, which aired on Aug. 13.
Saddle Lake’s Dr. James Makokis and his spouse Anthony Johnson were both present for a viewing party of the episode that took place at Racette Jr. High School in St. Paul, and was followed by a brief question and answer period hosted by local radio host Justin Marshall.
“It was so cool to have diverse communities come together and celebrate something positive. There were people here from Saddle Lake, Goodfish Lake, Northwest Territories, St. Paul, Kehewin, all the surrounding communities. And to have this place filled with so many people who were rooting for us felt really good,” said Makokis, noting it was a little bit surreal for him to be back in the gym where he once played sports growing up.
Johnson said his favourite part of being on the show, and of watching the episodes in different places is seeing how it brings people together.
“I think unification is the only way forward, and the only way to do that is to know each other, hang out together, and enjoy popcorn and juice while watching a fun show, or any other number of activities,” he said.
Team Ahkameyimok is raising money to build a Cree Cultural Healing Centre in Kehewin, where they both work, Makokis as a doctor, and Johnson as a project coordinator.
“We love being able to connect with people about what Ahkameyimok means. Doing your best, not giving up, and moving forward. But we definitely need more participation from big givers because our goal is $250,000 and we have maybe about 15 per cent of that,” said Johnson, noting they recently received some larger corporate donations, which they are extremely thankful for.
One of the questions the pair received, to cheers from the crowd, was why the viewing party for the episode took place in St. Paul instead of in Saddle Lake. According to Makokis, they had initially planned to host the event in Saddle Lake but were unable to because of technical challenges.
Asked to clarify the technical challenge in an interview after the event, he said the two main issues were having a space large enough to host the crowd, combined with having the appropriate streaming, cable, or satellite capabilities to show the episode.
“In no time, they (Mayor Maureen Miller and St. Paul Education Superintendent Glen Brodziak) volunteered the space, they offered popcorn and juice for everybody, which was so nice to have that added touch and just to make us feel welcome here. To be two gay, indigenous men who are married coming to a rural Alberta town and to have this turnout, it’s like really, is this real life? Is this where I went to school? It’s so cool to see the diversity and the acceptance that’s happening,” said Makokis.
According to Miller, the Town of St. Paul didn’t have a facility to offer for the event because they were all committed to the Métis Nation of Alberta for their general assembly.
“But we have a great relationship with St. Paul Education, so I reached out to Heather Starosielski, the board chair, and then her and Glen were able to arrange and supply a location for us to have James and Anthony here, which is great, it was quite exciting,” said Miller. She said she was very pleased at the collaboration, and excited to have Makokis in the community for the viewing. “Not to mention they moved on to the next level, it would have been so sad to have it here if he was eliminated.”
St. Paul Education Superintendent Glen Brodziak said the division was honoured and pleased to be able to help out with the event.
“We only played a small part by hosting, but we were absolutely honoured,” said Brodziak. Asked about the juice and the popcorn provided at the event, he said “it felt like a movie night.”
*SPOILER: The next episode aired on Aug. 20. Team Ahkameyimok remains in the race, with the another episode set to air on Aug. 27.
