2020 Arctic Winter Games mascot unveiled in Whitehorse

The Whitehorse 2020 Arctic Winter Games' mascot ananthropomorphic porcupine was unveiled on Thursday.

"I feel that it's, like, a little fierce but also a gentle creature," described Owen McDonald, the 12-year-old Whitehorse boy whose design was adapted for theget-up.

The mascot's name is Dch'w. According to a speaker at the morning press event for the unveiling, the name rhymes with "nacho."

Dch'wmeans "porcupine" in the Southern Tutchonelanguage, according to the 2020 Arctic Winter Games Host Society.

Echo Ross, a spokesperson for the event, said the mascotgoes by the pronoun "they."

The mascot costume includespartly multicoloured hair, blue eyes, brown fur, and black boots.

McDonald said it felt satisfying to see his creation come to life.

"[My friends] think it's pretty awesome. Everybody's saying I'm a celebrity," he said.

When asked if he is a celebrity, McDonald responded, "I don't think so. Not yet."

The games will be held in mid-March.