Amazing Two Spirit Couple

Amazing Two Spirit Couple

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Edmonton, Alberta

Amazing Race Canada Winners | ED&I, Indigenous & LGBTQ Experts | Two Spirit Advocates

  • Videos
  • Expertise
  • Indigenous
  • LGBTQ2S+
  • Cultural Diversity
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Mental Health
  • Inclusive Leadership
  • Social Justice & Human Rights
  • Celebrity
  • First Nation, Inuit & Metis

AMAZING TWO SPIRIT COUPLE BIOGRAPHY

The Amazing Two Sprit Couple, Anthony Johnson and Dr. James Makokis are two of Turtle Islands’ most powerful voices in advocacy for equity, equality & inclusivity for LGBTQ2S+ & Indigenous populations. Most well known for their appearance and victory on The Amazing Race Season 7, the couple continues their work in the community and in service to share their message across the nation.

After travelling more than 20,000 kilometres across 6 provinces, 1 territory, and 14 cities, Dr. James Makokis (Cree) and Anthony Johnson (Diné) are the first Indigenous, Amazing Two Spirit Couple to shatter stereotypes to win Amazing Race Canada, hence known as The Amazing two Spirit Couple – Team Ahkameyimok. Not without its challenges during the season, they were able to continuously work together to shatter stereotypes, keep resilient and work together to stay in the race and pass each stage of the race. The Amazing Two Spirit Couple turned out to be an unstoppable force by the end of the season which eventually led them to become winners of the Amazing Race Canada Season 7. The Amazing Race is not an easy challenge to win, as the couple surpassed Canadian Olympic Athletes and some fierce competitors during the season.

The Amazing Two Spirit Couple’s story goes much further than their appearance and victory, on the Amazing Race Canada. The Amazing Two Spirit Couple used the media coverage and platform to confront stereotypes, homophobia, ignorance, and racism, and raise awareness of issues faced by Indigenous Peoples in Canada, the United States and around the World. Makokis and Johnson Indigenized the race starting from their team’s name, Team Ahkameyimok (in Cree: “Don’t give up, keep going, use whatever you have to get something done.”) Their team motto was also Ahkameyimok! A phrase their elders use to encourage others to do their best and keep going no matter what the challenge or how difficult of a situation one is faced with. “Ahkameyimok!” was not only true to their performance on the Amazing Race, but it was something true to both of their personal stories before they met each other. The Amazing Two Spirit Couple both grew up living in segregated First Nation communities that were deprived of access to social programming, equal education, and limited economic opportunities.

The famous Amazing Two Spirit Couple both have a unique experience as identifying as Two-Spirit, being advocates for a wide variety of social and community programs and being leaders in and outside of their communities. Amazing Two Spirit Couple, an umbrella term that Indigenous people use to describe people in their communities who are gender-nonconforming, gives them both the ability to access ‘male and female’ traits to accomplish anything they need to. As both of them navigated challenges as Two-Spirit at an early age, they both felt segregation and bullying from their own community members, and both had to struggle every day to find and be themselves while learning to cope with the constant negative reinforcement and pressure for who they were. These were the first times they as individuals had to tap into “Ahkameyimok” every single day. Their personal struggles and relationships were a constant reinforcement of being outed as being “different” while coping with layers of discrimination, all sorts of bullies and being excluded from peer groups and everyday social interactions.

Dr. James Makokis is a Nehiyô (Neh-hee-yo) Two-Spirit doctor from the Onihcikiskapowinihk (Saddle Lake Cree Nation) in Treaty Number Six Territory. He practices Family Medicine in Kinokamasihk (Kih-no-kum-a-sick) Cree Nation in northeastern Alberta and has a transgender health-focused practice in South Edmonton. He was the inaugural Medical Director at Shkaabe Makwa (Shkaa-bay Muh-kwa) at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto – the first Indigenous health centre designed to lead systems’ transformation in Indigenous mental health across the country.  He is also an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Alberta. In 2020 Dr. Makokis was named one of the 30 most powerful physicians in the country by The Medical Post but believes power is a concept that should be shared amongst others.  Dr. Makokis is a regular guest on the Marilyn Denis show and a commentator in the media. Dr. Makokis is enthusiastic about revitalizing the Nehiyô medical system, educating people about Treaty, and working toward the vision of Turtle Island, which is to live together in peace and friendship.

Anthony Johnson, a self-proclaimed spiritual nomad, is an artist, poet, photographer, cultural documentarian, community leader and strategic analyst whose mission in life is to explore the beauty of the Earth and its inhabitants. A proud Two-Spirt warrior from Navajo Nation, he has been on a mission to discover purpose and reconnect himself and others through traditional knowledge and healing. He has lived in many cities across Turtle Island and even had a short stint in Shanghai, China where he went as an exchange student to achieve his Bachelor of Arts in Social Anthropology.  He later went to Harvard University in 2009 and received his Bachelor of Economics. With a vast amount of experience and knowledge, Anthony has contributed to play a major role in working with startups that drive social impact within the tech industry, and fashion world as well as mentoring Two-Spirit Youth along his journey. His move to Treaty 6 Territory in Edmonton, Alberta marked the beginning of the newest chapter in his life when he wed his husband, Dr. James Makokis while running the BMO Harris Vancouver Marathon in 2017. Anthony currently works alongside Dr. James Makokis as a Project Coordinator in Kehewin Cree Nation where he is helping to revitalize Traditional Cree birthing practices, medicines, and ceremonies as they relate to the Cree 7 Stages of Life philosophy. He is an aspiring filmmaker who believes in the power of stories to bring healing.

Amazing Two Spirit Couple Related Media

Media Interview

In Your Corner

Mark Tewksbury

In Your Corner - Mark Tewksbury Interviews Dr. Makokis & Anthony Johnson
View

Media Interview

CBC Unreserved

SBC

First Words: Why Amazing Race Canada winners want you to learn Indigenous languages
View

Podcast

Marilyn Denis Does a Podcast

Play

Marilyn Denis

Anthony Johnson & Dr. James Makokis “Every Child Matters

Podcast

Cultural Survivor

Play

Telling Our Our Own Stories - Amazing Race Winners Anthony Johnson And Dr. James Makokis

Telling Our Our Own Stories - Amazing Race Winners Anthony Johnson And Dr. James Makokis

Podcast

Sickboy

Play

Sickboy

Beyond the Social: Author Interviews - Chapter 19 with James and Patricia Makokis

Amazing Two Spirit Couple Related Content

Articles & Magazine Feature

Telling Our Stories: An Interview with Anthony Johnson and James Makokis

Cultural Survival

After becoming the first Two-Spirit Indigenous couple to win The Amazing Race Canada, Anthony Johnson (Diné) and James Makokis (Saddle Lake Cree) are embarking on new ways to share their positivity and multifaceted identities through television. In June 2021, the couple formed a development deal with Indigenous storytelling production company, Wapanatahk Media. Together they will produce a factual series that follows Johnson and Makokis as they pursue their mission to educate the masses about Indigenous cultural teachings.
View

Articles & Magazine Feature

The Washington Post: Our Existence is Political

Washington Post

Our existences are political’: What it means that a gay, indigenous couple won Canada’s ‘Amazing Race
View

Articles & Magazine Feature

Amazing Race Canada winners honoured in ceremony at Edmonton City Hall

CTV

Anthony Johnson and James Makokis have had barely any rest since winning The Amazing Race Canada—but their community work since then has been nothing short of, well, amazing. To that end, the Indigenous couple was honoured Tuesday in a special ceremony at Edmonton City Hall. Mayor Don Iveson and council recognized Makokis and Johnson not just for their historic win, but for the impact and influence they've had on local Indigenous people.
View

Articles & Magazine Feature

Forbes: A Nehiyô Two-Spirit Physician’s Reflections On Providing Indigenous Interventions In Modern Medicine

Forbes

Makokis spoke to Forbes Healthcare about their journey to medicine, work in Two-Spirit health, advice for aspiring Two-Spirit physicians, the need for more Indigiqueer representation in medicine, and the unique health challenges faced by Indigiqueer communities.
View

Amazing Two Spirit Couple Topic Presentations

Reclaiming Belonging: Pathways of Acceptance

Uniting Allies: Building Our Future

Two-spirit Diversity: Breaking Down Barriers To Foster Inclusion

Two Spirit Resilience

Two-spirit Empowerment: Embracing Gender and Sexual Diversity

Stand Up With Pride: Navigating Diverse Viewpoints With Compassion and Respect

Embracing Authentic Leadership: Fostering Equality & Equitable Environments

Building Bridges of Understanding: Fostering Reconciliation and Allyship

Nurturing Mental Health and Resilience: Embracing Self-care

Uncovering the Truth: Reconcili-action

From Truth To Reconcili-action: A Brief Overview of the Trc Commission for Engaging With First Nations Communities

Wisdom From the Ancestors: Embracing Indigenous Values for Success

Opening Doors To Inclusive Education: Empowering Teachers and Students

Reclaiming Indigenous Knowledge and Teachings in the Education System

Education for Community Restoration: Empowering Youth Leadership

Reclaiming Roots: Community Empowerment, Healing, and Strategic Partnerships

Resilience and Renewal: Navigating Challenges in First Nation Communities

Celebrating Identity: Strategies for Two-spirit Youth and Community Leaders

Uniting Conversations

Inclusive Pathways: Integrating Two-spirit Wisdom Into Diverse Service Practices

Amazing Two Spirit Couple Speaking Testimonials

Thank you for the opportunity to hear about your experiences and histories with us. We’ve received very positive feedback from your talk. Those on the call found your stories informative, engaging and educating. We even had attendees who were fans of your Amazing Race adventure! The number of people who stayed on to hear you answer questions after the hour is a testament to how much people wanted to hear what you have to say and the importance of it all. Thank you for sharing vulnerably about your lives and journey. The work you do is much needed, and we look forward to seeing your incredible journey expand as more doors and ears open as you bravely share the stories of the Indigenous and...

Lelaine Ching

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Team
NORTON ROSE FULBRIGHT

I wanted to share a massive thank you for the amazing presentation yesterday, that was filled with powerful and thought-provoking messages.  We received strong engagement throughout the session, with attendance reaching a high of 630 global attendees and a range of regions and levels. At the halfway mark we were still tracking in the low 600’s. We also received lots of positive comments and thoughtful questions during the webinar.  The messages from were authentic, honest, educational, motivational and capped off with some good humour. This was one of our highest-ranking sessions from our participants. We thank you for sharing your background, journey, and perspectives with us. It was...

Adrienne

Human Resources
Fidelity International

The event on Monday was a huge success! The subject matter was really timely and well received by everyone we have spoken too. Senior management felt like the speakers were really speaking at their level and offered some practical perspectives on how to adjust to address the issues and concerns we know that exist. Absolutely amazing speakers, engaging, relevant, very impressed and honoured to get to hear them speak.

Narissa

Leadership
Hyundai

Anthony, James – We cannot thank you enough for the time you spent with us yesterday, we have been inundated with feedback from staff, all of it overwhelmingly positive (we received several emails not just thanking us profusely for inviting you to come speak but saying that this has been the best all-staff meeting they have ever attended. For such a cautious bunch, that is very high praise, so well done). We know you do a lot of these types of sessions, but it is important you know that you have still none the less touched a lot of people deeply with what you shared with us. We could not be happier with the result, and we hope it gets more people engaged and involved in learning more...

- Ian

Leader
Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission

Dr. Makokis & Mr. Johnson spoke to our Diversity and Inclusion team, council, and leaders. The speakers kept the audience engaged and we have had nothing but wonderful feedback from our team. James and Anthony were extremely informative and opened a pathway for conversations to evaluate pre-existing assumptions people have carried through their lives to look at things differently. The only thing that could have made the session better was if it were longer! One of the best events we have hosted, they are both truly brilliant speakers. Thank you both so much for sharing your life experienced, stories, and knowledge.

Narissa

HR
Husky Energy

Dr. Makokis and Anthony were an amazing team. They were engaging and we wish the presentation was longer. The couple uses their unique history and insight to educate and advocate with passion and inspiration. A powerful presentation. We need to hear more voices like theirs.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Wellness Secretariat
Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Amazing Two Spirit Couple Speaker Topic Ideas

Amazing Two Spirit Couple Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Amazing Two Spirit Couple Keynote Speaker delivers customized and tailored keynote presentations, workshops, and training sessions on a wide variety of topics. Each presentation is unique and are designed for a variety of audiences, industries, conferences, and event formats.

You May Also Like

Related Speakers

Anthony Johnson

Anthony Johnson

LGBTQ2S+ | Two Spirit And Diversity Expert

Featured

Speaker Topics

  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Cultural Diversity
  • Accessibility
  • LGBTQ2S+
  • HR & Corporate Culture
  • Communication
  • Employee Management
  • Racial Justice
Anthony Johnson is a Two-Spirit Keynote Speaker, LGBTQ2S+ Advocate & ED&I Expert. Through his powerful story to bring awareness for LGBTQ &...
Cowboy Smithx

Cowboy Smithx

Redx Talks Founder | Award Winning Indigenous Filmmaker | First Nation & Indigenous Expert

Featured

Speaker Topics

  • Indigenous
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Cultural Diversity
  • Blockchain & Metaverse
  • Innovation & Creativity
  • Entrepreneurship
  • First Nation, Inuit & Metis
  • Education & Teachers
  • Youth Leadership & Students
Cowboy Smithx is an award-winning filmmaker of Blackfoot from Piikani & Kainai tribes of Southern Alberta, uses his culture as foundation to create....
Janice Makokis

Janice Makokis

Indigenous Rights Advocate | Legal Scholar & Consultant

Featured

Speaker Topics

  • Cultural Diversity
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Gender Equality
  • Inclusive Leadership
  • Indigenous
  • Leadership
  • Leadership and Change
  • Mindset & Attitude
Janice Makokis is an Indigenous Legal Rights Scholar, Advocate and Consultant. Janice Makokis currently holds a joint position between the Yellowhead...
Dr. Lana Potts

Dr. Lana Potts

First Nation Physician | Medical Doctor | Indigenous Health And First Nation Expert

Featured

Speaker Topics

  • Cultural Diversity
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Happiness & Positivity
  • Health & Wellness
  • Indigenous
  • Leadership
  • Mental Health
Dr. Lana Potts CCFP is a Medical Doctor, Indigenous Health and First Nation Expert, family physician at the Siksika Health and Wellness Centre, near...
Marilyn Jensen

Marilyn Jensen

First Nations & Indigenous Empowerment Expert

Featured

Speaker Topics

  • Indigenous
  • Cultural Diversity
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Personal Leadership
  • Women Of Influence
  • Women's Leadership
  • Racial Justice
  • Workplace Culture
  • Resilience & Change
Marilyn Jensen is an Indigenous Empowerment expert, specializing in substance abuse, couples counseling, and mood management therapy. Marilyn Jensen...
Whitehorse Whitehorse, Yukon
Hon. Dr. Marion Buller

Hon. Dr. Marion Buller

First Nation & Indigenous Rights Advocate | Civil & Human Rights Lawyer | Retired Judge

Featured

Speaker Topics

  • Cultural Diversity
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Excellence & Success
  • Gender Equality
  • HR & Corporate Culture
  • Inclusive Leadership
  • Indigenous
  • Leadership
Judge Marion Buller is a keynote speaker & human rights advocate who helped form the First Nations Courts in BC & the first woman Indigenous judge....
Dr. Patricia Makokis

Dr. Patricia Makokis

First Nation | Indigenous Expert

Featured

Speaker Topics

  • Communication
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Cultural Diversity
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Excellence & Success
  • Gender Equality
  • Happiness & Positivity
  • HR & Corporate Culture
Dr. Patricia Makokis is an internationally renowned speaker, author, a pioneer for Indigenous education, health & values well known for her...
Dr. James Makokis

Dr. James Makokis

Two Spirit Doctor | LGBTQ2S+ | Indigenous | Diversity | Inclusion Expert

Featured

Speaker Topics

  • Mental Health
  • Health & Wellness
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Resilience & Adversity
  • LGBTQ2S+
  • Indigenous
  • Personal Growth
  • Leadership
  • Work Life Balance
  • First Nation, Inuit & Metis
  • Social Justice & Human Rights
  • Healthcare
  • Awareness Days
  • Social & Cultural
  • Inspirational
  • Motivation
  • Health and Safety
  • Lifestyle & Health
Dr. James A. Makokis is a Nehiyô (Plains Cree) Family Physician from the Saddle Lake Cree Nation in northeastern Alberta and the recent winner of...
Teddy Syrette

Teddy Syrette

Two Spirit Advocate | Mental Health Expert | Indigenous Professional of The Year Awardee

Featured

Speaker Topics

  • Business Leadership
  • Business Management
  • Cultural Diversity
  • Employee Engagement
  • Gender Equality
  • Genrational Differences
  • Happiness & Positivity
  • Inclusive Leadership
  • Indigenous
Teddy Syrette (Ozhawa Anung Kwe/Yellow Star Woman) is a 2-Spirit and First Nation Anishnabe and Mental Health Expert from Rankin Reserve of...
Sault Ste. Marie Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Dr. Lynn Gehl

Dr. Lynn Gehl

Indigenous Knowledge Keeper | Treaty Rights | Land Claims | Access & Inclusivity Expert

Featured

Speaker Topics

Dr. Lynn Gehl is an author, advocate, artist, and public speaker. She is one of only two Algonquin in the world with a doctorate in Indigenous...
Tim O'Loan

Tim O'Loan

Military & Indigenous Survivor | First Nation's Expert

Featured

Speaker Topics

  • Adaptability & Agility
  • Addictions & Substance Abuse
  • Burnout Prevention
  • Change Management
  • Cultural Diversity
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Excellence & Success
  • Inclusive Leadership
  • PTSD & Trauma
Tim O’Loan comes from 2 wounded communities: one as a proud indigenous (Sahtu Dene) & other as Veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces, having served...
Nipawi Kakinoosit

Nipawi Kakinoosit

Indigenous Advocate | First Nation Expert | Co Founder of Idle No More Movement

Featured

Speaker Topics

  • Indigenous
  • Inclusive Leadership
  • Leadership and Change
  • Resilience & Change
  • Change Management
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Influence & Negotiation
  • Conflict Resolution
Nipawi Kakinoosit is a member of the Sucker Creek Cree First Nation born in Prince George, and Young Diplomats of Canada have named him as head...

FAQ

How to book Amazing Two Spirit Couple for an event?

Amazing Two Spirit Couple keynote speaker is an expert presenter and has a wide range of experience speaking to a wide variety of audiences and organizations. Amazing Two Spirit Couple delivers keynotes, workshops & training sessions. They may also host or emcee events. Hire Amazing Two Spirit Couple from Edmonton, Alberta for your event to inspire the audience to take action and make change in their work and their lives. Your workplace will benefit from our keynote speaker and their keynote talks and speeches will shift the mindsets or behaviours for the audience members in Canada. 

Interested in booking Amazing Two Spirit Couple for an event?

Are you looking to hire Amazing Two Spirit Couple for your event? Amazing Two Spirit Couple Edmonton, Alberta is a dynamic and engaging speaker that offers audiences researched content paired with expertise and a dynamic speaking ability. Amazing Two Spirit Couple is also a Canadian corporate consultant and coach and facilitates workshops and training sessions for a corporate audience. Amazing Two Spirit Couple is an expert keynote presenter and speaks on wide variety of topics. Hiring a great speaker for your event is important and working with a thought leader like Amazing Two Spirit Couple from Speakers Canada's roster will engage audiences into the content of the presentation to bring awareness and a fresh perspective for their approach to their work and their lives. Book Amazing Two Spirit Couple to educate, motivate and activate the audience through an interactive and entertaining presentation at corporate meetings and gatherings.

Known as a popular key note speaker in Canada, Amazing Two Spirit Couple creates life changing experiences for the participants with practical insights and strategic advice they can implement right after the session. Working with one of our leading expert speaker like Amazing Two Spirit Couple from Edmonton, Alberta offers organizations a fresh perspective to assist the people of the organization. No matter if it is a government, association, or business crowd, Amazing Two Spirit Couple is a perfect speaker for your event. Through unique practical insights for trending topics and years experience speaking to different organizations, Amazing Two Spirit Couple focuses on changing individuals to make better decisions at work and their lives. No matter if you are holding an in person or virtual event, having an influential speaker such as Amazing Two Spirit Couple will engage, motivate, and activate the audience to make a change in their lives and inspire action for results to meet organizational goals. Your workforce will benefit from Amazing Two Spirit Couple's presentations and speeches, with measurable results set to shift the people of the organization and core direction of the company. Book Amazing Two Spirit Couple speaker for your annual general meeting, conference, summit, or convention in Canada.

How much does it cost to hire Amazing Two Spirit Couple for a keynote presentation or virtual event?

Amazing Two Spirit Couple is an expert professional key note speaker with a lot of experience speaking and delivering engaging talks to organizations and audiences in Canada. Each of Speaker Bureau Canada's talent have different ways to assess their fees, and Amazing Two Spirit Couple speaker fee ranges depending on the size of the audience, event format (in person or virtual), event location, and if the organization booking them is a non profit, association, government department/government agency or business/corporation. The speakers we work with are flexible with their fees, and it is important for us to learn more about your event before we approach them, as it is our role to work for you, and to help you find a speaker within budget. 

Please contact Speakers Bureau of Canada and provide us with your event details so that we can contact Amazing Two Spirit Couple to check availability or confirm the pricing and associated costs to hire a great speaker like Amazing Two Spirit Couple for your event. As Amazing Two Spirit Couple's agent and as a Canadian top speaker bureau and talent agency for speakers, we are able to propose each event opportunity from each host organization's behalf to try to help you get in touch with Amazing Two Spirit Couple and confirm them for your in person or online meeting/event. We can also provide and advise on the booking process and potentially negotiate their fee. Speakers Canada is a client focused speaker agency, and we work for you in finding good speakers for your team meetings and booking processes.

Amazing Two Spirit Couple Disclaimer

Speakers Bureau Canada assists companies and event planning teams seeking to hire talent like Amazing Two Spirit Couple for speaking engagements, virtual meetings, conference appearances, training sessions and workshops facilitations. Our Canadian speakers bureau does not claim to exclusively represent Amazing Two Spirit Couple, however they are represented by Speakers Canada, and we work with them closely for their Canadian speaking opportunities and bookings. As Canada's top speaker bureau, we represent Canadian motivational keynote speakers and professional guest speakers that will be available on your upcoming events date and location that are withing the budget. Our talented bureau speaker booking agency can help find business speakers or celebrity speakers that aligns with each organization, audience, event theme and the topic themes you hope for the speaker to address in their presentation. 

When SBC receives a request to book Amazing Two Spirit Couple we provide you with their speaker fees, travel costs and check their schedules. We work closely with the host organization's event planning team and the speaker to handle the logistics and to relay or negotiate associated costs. Our talented team members then will work with our talent directly or their agent/manager/assistant to confirm the Canadian speaker fee and travel expenses, so that event planning teams can receive an official quote for the speaker appearing at the event. Speaker fees and travel costs vary per speaker and our role is to contact Amazing Two Spirit Couple about your event, after we have connected with the event organizers to learn all the event details and/or conference program. Each booking request is unique since session durations and audience sizes can vary which may affect the speaker's fees. If you are looking to hire Amazing Two Spirit Couple, we recommend filling out the booking request form so a booking agent from Speakers Bureau Canada can get in touch with our talent to help you coordinate with your team to engage the speaker for a successful event.