North Bay city council to vote on renaming Marathon Beach
North Bay city council is considering renaming one of its Lake Nipissing waterfront beaches to pay tribute to Nipissing First Nation heritage.
Council will vote next Tuesday whether or not Marathon Beach should be renamed after Chief Michel Shabogesic, who was instrumental in the creation of the Robinson Huron Treaty of 1850.
"Over the last 150 years, our presence here has been virtually overlooked as if we weren’t here," said Nipissing First Nation Chief Scott McLeod.
A motion brought forward by city councillors Chris Mayne and Mark King, requests the beach be renamed ‘Shaabgiizhig Jiigbiik' in Ojibway or 'Shabogesic Beach.'
If approved, council will consult with Nipissing First Nation council for final approval. A plaque would then be erected on the beach around late summer. The city said it would work with the First Nation to find out more about Shabogesic’s past and life in the area.
"When Europeans came through, for hundreds of years, if not thousands of years prior, Nipissing First Nation and their other descendants lived in this area on these shores," said councillor Chris Mayne.
Shabogesic was part of treaty negotiations and signed the Robinson Huron Treaty of 1850.
With his signature and as the 10th nation to sign, Nipissing First Nation was created. And, Chief McLeod is a direct descendant of Shabogesic.
"Word of mouth was that he was strong leader and had very strong opinions," said McLeod.
"I guess the acorn doesn’t fall from the tree. He was very strong and committed to our nation."
Shabogesic was about 80 years old when his death was reported in July 1869.
"To most people outside of Nipissing First Nation, they’ve never heard of him," said Mayne.
"But he is a very important historical figure to our community’s history. So it’s a small step in recognizing the history."
Council will vote on the motion Tuesday night.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.