Michael & Amari: Basketball Bloodlines & Indigenous Pride

The Stakes: To represent their Indigenous ancestry and heritage and to show the world that they can do anything they set their minds to. They also want to be the first-ever team from Saskatchewan to win THE AMAZING RACE CANADA.

Michael Linklater (he/him)

Age: 41
Occupation: Ex-Professional Basketball Player/Consultant/International Speaker
Current City: Saskatoon, Sask.
Hometown: Saskatoon, Sask.
Strengths: Visual memory, communication, physical abilities
Fear/phobia: Claustrophobic
Pet peeve about your teammate: Reminding him to clean his room.
What will you do with the prize money? Invest, and support my family.

Amari Linklater (he/him)

Age: 19
Occupation: Student/Basketball Player
Current City: Edmonton, Alta.
Hometown: Saskatoon, Sask
Strengths: Physical abilities, can pick up tasks quickly
Fear/phobia: Bugs
Pet peeve about your teammate: He’s always busy!
What will you do with the prize money? Buy shoes and travel.

Michael was a young father, and although he travelled a lot playing basketball, he always had his family top of mind, including his four children. Michael’s mother was part of the Sixties Scoop and his grandparents were residential school survivors. At a young age Michael witnessed the impact addictions had on his family and people in his community. So, his goal was to be the best dad he could be by practicing his culture and living a healthy, sober lifestyle. 

Michael takes any chance he has to speak in different Indigenous communities, to encourage and motivate people to go after dreams, and lead a healthy way of life. He excelled in 3x3 basketball, ranking first in Canada and sixth worldwide at one point. Representing Team Canada at the FIBA 3x3 World Cup, he also contributed to Team Saskatoon's success in FIBA 3x3 World Tour Finals and won the inaugural Canadian Elite Basketball League championship with the Saskatchewan Rattlers in 2019. Now retired, Michael jumps at the chance to compete on THE AMAZING RACE CANADA with his son.

Amari is following in his father’s footsteps. He currently plays college-level basketball in Alberta, as a guard, the same position as his dad, and has played for Saskatchewan's U19 team at the North American Indigenous Games. Amari also lives a healthy, sober life and wants to be a role model for the younger generation and his younger siblings.

Michael and Amari are the first Indigenous father/son duo on THE AMAZING RACE CANADA.  They are both Cree and members of Thunderchild First Nations in Treaty 6 territory, Saskatchewan. They are determined to make their community proud and represent their heritage on the Race.

Learn more about Michael & Amari here!