Pachi the Porcupine

The winning mascot was designed by Michelle Ing, Paige Kunihiro, Jenny Lee and Fiona Hong from Buttonville Public School in Markham, Ontario.

[7][8][9] Canadian schoolchildren played a role in narrowing the choice of mascot whose design is based on that of the porcupine, an animal found in all 41 countries competing at the Games.

There are 41 stylized conical spines on Pachi's back: one for every country participating in the Pan American Games.

The spines are one of five colours, each of the five representing a quality the Games are said to endorse: youth, passion, collaboration, determination, and creativity.

[1] "Inner Ninja" by Nova Scotian rapper Classified served as Pachi's official theme song.