January 26 2019 marks the 120th Anniversary of the death of local hereditary Chief Joe Sayer Nebenaigoching, and his descendants are hosting a traditional round dance in his honor.
Chief Nebenaigoching lived at Bawating and French Bay. He traveled with Chief Shingwaukonce to Montreal in 1849 and met with Lord Elgin to petition him for a treaty, to no avail. He and Shingwaukonce led a war party in December of that year and took over the mine at Mica Bay, Ontario which prompted the Robinson Treaties of 1850.
He later met the Prince of Wales in Sarnia in 1860 and continued to work for the betterment of his people at Bawating until his death in 1899.
Round dances are by custom a celebration of the dead with a feast, dancing and giveaway by the surviving family members. Everyone is welcome to join in the fun and celebration.