The sandy beach adjacent to King's Landing, along the shore of Lake Nipissing, will soon have a monument to honour the man it's named after.
North Bay City Council unanimously approved the renaming of Marathon Beach to Shabogesic Beach during its regular meeting in May.
It is now officially known by its Ojibway name, Shaabgiizhig Jiigbiik, pronounced as Shah - bo- guee - zik Jeeg - beek and translated and anglicized to Shabogesic (Shah - bo- GEEE- zik) Beach. (Hard G)
The motion to rename the popular waterfront attraction acknowledges the City of North Bay's situation on the ancestral lands of Nipissing First Nation and is intended to share the importance of the heritage and history of NFN in the North Bay community. It was brought forward by Coun. Chris Mayne and seconded by Coun. Mark King, and was a collaborative effort with local Indigenous community leaders.
Next week the City of North Bay will hold an official naming ceremony for Shabogesic Beach in recognition of Nipissing First Nation heritage as an important part of North Bay’s history.
Mayor Al McDonald and Nipissing First Nation Chief Scott McLeod will deliver remarks during the ceremony and will unveil a monument in honour of Nbisiing Nation Chief Michel Zhaabgiizhik (Shabogesic).
All members of the public are invited to attend.
See: Marathon no more: Council approves name change to Shabogesic Beach
The event takes place at Shabogesic Beach, on Memorial Drive on North Bay’s waterfront on Thursday, Sept. 22, at 11 a.m.
With files from Stu Campaigne.
