Meet the mascots of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, happening in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (the home of Kidzworld!) from February 12, 2010 to March 21, 2010.
Miga
Fast Facts:
- Home: Coast of Vancouver Island
- Hobbies: Surfing, snowboarding, anything fun and exciting!
- Fave Food: Wild salmon
- Dream: To land a corked 720 in the half-pipe
- Fave Color: Forest green
Miga is a young sea bear who lives in the ocean with her family pod, beyond Vancouver Island, near Tofino, British Columbia. Sea bears are part killer whale and part bear. (Miga is part Kermode bear, a rare white bear that only lives in British Columbia.)
All summer long, Miga rides waves with local surfers. But during the winter months, she often sneaks onto the shores of Vancouver to seek adventure. When Miga discovered that humans were ‘surfing’ on snow, up in the mountains, she knew she had to join the fun. Snowboarding soon became her favourite winter sport. Her dream is to land a corked 720 in the half-pipe one day…It will take lots of practice, and a few falls along the way, but she’s sure she can do it.
The sea bear is inspired by the legends of the Pacific Northwest First Nations, tales of orca whales that transform into bears when they arrive on land. The Kermode bear is a rare white or cream-coloured sub-species of the black bear that is unique to the central West Coast of British Columbia. According to First Nations’ legend, Kermode bears – also known as Spirit Bears – were turned white by Raven to remind people of the Ice Age. Orcas are also honoured in the art and stories of West Coast First Nations, as travellers and guardians of the sea.
Quatchi
Fast Facts:
- Home: Canada’s mysterious forests
- Hobbies: Hockey, photography, travel
- Fave Food: Loves to try everything!
- Dream: To become a world-famous goalie
- Fave Color: Chill blue
Quatchi is a young sasquatch who comes from the mysterious forests of Canada. Quatchi is shy, but loves to explore new places and meet new friends.
Although Quatchi loves all winter sports, he’s especially fond of hockey. He dreams of becoming a world-famous goalie. Because of his large size, he can be a little clumsy. But no one can question his passion. He knows that if he works hard and always does his best, he might one day achieve his dream. Quatchi is always encouraging his friends to join him on journeys across Canada. He is also often recruiting others to play hockey – or at least to take shots at him!
The sasquatch is a popular figure in local native legends of the Pacific West Coast. The sasquatch reminds us of the mystery and wonder that exist in the natural world, igniting our imagination about the possibility of undiscovered creatures in the great Canadian wilderness.
Sumi
Fast Facts:
- Home: Whistler mountain
- Hobbies: Skiing, flying
- Fave Food: Hot cocoa
- Dream: To share his forest and mountain home with the world
- Fave Color: Fern green
Sumi is an animal spirit who lives in the mountains of British Columbia. Like many Canadians, Sumi's background is drawn from many places. He wears the hat of the orca whale, flies with the wings of the mighty thunderbird and runs on the strong furry legs of the black bear.
Sumi’s name comes from the Salish word “Sumesh” which means “guardian spirit.” Sumi takes his role very seriously. He works hard to protect the land, water and creatures of his homeland. Sumi is a great fan of the Paralympic Games. He’s determined to learn all the sports, so he can play and race with his animal friends all winter long.
Transformation is a common theme in the art and legend of West Coast First Nations. Transformation represents the connection and kinship between the human, animal and spirit world. Revered animals, such as the orca whale, the bear and the thunderbird, are depicted in transformation through masks, totems and other forms of art. The orca is the traveller and guardian of the sea. The bear often represents strength and friendship. And the thunderbird — which creates thunder by flapping its wings — is one of the most powerful of the supernatural creatures.
Mukmuk
Fast Facts:
- Home: Vancouver Island sub-alpine meadows
- Hobbies: Eating, burrowing, eating, making friends, eating
- Fave Food: Flowers, ferns, berries
- Dream: To save the endangered Island Marmot
- Fave Color: Berry orange
Mukmuk is a small and friendly Vancouver Island Marmot who always supports and cheers loudly for his friends during games and races.
When he is not hibernating or sunbathing on rocks and logs, he enjoys getting out to meet other types of marmots and animals. In fact, this is how he became friends with the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic mascots.
Mukmuk gets his name from the word ‘muckamuck,’ Chinook jargon for ‘food,’ because he loves to eat! (Interestingly, Chinook jargon was a First Nations trading language.) He’s passionate about the many different types of food found in British Columbia, and is particularly fond of berries and mountain flowers.
The Vancouver Island Marmot is an extremely rare and endangered species unique to the mountains of Vancouver Island. Learn about Vancouver Island marmots and other endangered species at www.marmots.org.
Related Stories:
- Top 5 Olympic Mascots
- Olympic Mascot Talking Plush Toy
- Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games
- Brian Anthony Sings at the Special Olympics
