TORONTO — A family from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory was the featured winner of Family Feud Canada.
Kimberlee Maracle and her husband — Mohawk musician David R. Maracle — appeared on the Canadian version of the long-running television game show on October 4.
It was an awesome celebration of Mohawk family fun and togetherness as the couple, along with three of their nieces — Gudgie, Rebecca, and Tammy, opened the show with the Iroquois Stomp Dance, bearing Lacrosse sticks, and representing Mohawk love for lacrosse by wearing Tyendinaga Thunder jersey’s.
Kimberlee Maracle spoke to TRT about the experience and said the Maracle family was chosen out of 1000 other families that auditioned for the show.
Filming was in early September and the episode aired just after the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada.
David R. Maracle said the opportunity to show a national audience a true picture of indigenous families and the community of Tyendinaga was a welcome one.
“To us it’s a great time to reflect on what was going on but also to bring the understanding and pride and that laughter to the screen and let them know about who we are. That opportunity to shine for our community was pretty positive for me,” said Maracle.
Strict COVID protocols were in place prior to and during filming.
“They ran a tight ship with COVID protocols. We were tested 3 times,” said Maracle.
Maracle said that the family had a tradition of all getting together to play games as an extended family — but that those gatherings were put on hold due to the pandemic. The show provided the Maracle an opportunity to come back together for the first time in two years.
“It was a the best. I think it made us all feel closer. We really missed each other,” said Maracle.
The show aired on CBC October 4 but can also be watched online through the CBC Gem app at gem.cbc.ca.
Though the Maracle’s defeated their opponents, the Mercer family, they did not win the $10,000 fast money prize during their episode. However, they were awarded a small cash prize for points accumulated in the game and have been invited to come back in another episode to defend their winning title.
