Akwesasne Roadside Clean Up Day

Submitted by the ATFE

Niawenkó:wa Akwesasró:non! Everyone give yourselves a pat on the back. Sonkwaiatí:son (Our Creator) is smiling on us, seeing his children picking up trash and taking care of Mother Earth. Who says Ahkwesáhsne has no community spirit? We really proved we have it on Saturday, May 2nd. The Roadside Cleanup event may be over, but let’s not forget our responsibility to keep Mother Earth clean. If we all do our duty, then someday the Cleanup Day will not be needed. Come on Akwesasne! It’s time we act like the people we say we are! Don’t just think about it. Just do it.

The Ahkwesáhsne Task Force on the Environment, the SRMT Environment Division, the MCA Department of Environment, and the Haudenosaunee Task Force on the Environment would like to thank the following groups and individuals, because without them, our clean up day would not have happened.

Trash committee: Dave Arquette, Margaret George, Craig Arquette, Jeri Jacobs, Amberdawn Lafrance, Tom Stacey, and H.O.M.E Team.

Donations of Food: Marlene Arquette, Mary Arquette, Marie Benedict, Bulla Herne, and Louise Jock.

Donations of Door Prizes: Akwesasne Notes Book Store, McDonalds Massena, P&C, Natural Way, Walmart Massena, Pizza Hut, Triple “A” Massena, Akwesasne Housing Authority, Indian Time, Mamie David, and Faith Graffis.

Monetary Donations: Akwesasne Community Assistance Fund, Akwesasne Petroleum Coop, Sons of the American Legion, Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs, CKON Radio Bingo, Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, and NYSDOT for paying the tipping fees.

Truck Divers and Helpers: NYS DOT, Dan George, Margaret George, Angela Benedict, Zac Dunn, Ken Jock, Jennifer Jock, Patrick Kelly, and Peter Terrance.

We would also like to give special thanks to the following departments for the use of their trucks: SRMT Solid Waste Department; SRMT Environment Division, MCA Waste Water Operations, and NYSDOT. We would like to thank MCA Department of Technical Services and SRMT Solid Waste Department for setting up dumpsters. Special thanks go to Bears Den for providing gas for all the trucks picking up trash and to the Senior Center for providing the use of their facilities. Thanks also goes out to Bulla N Joe’s Tent Rentals for providing tables and chairs. We would also like to thank Pat Phillips for helping with the cook out. Niawenkó:wa to Faith Graffis and Mamie David for organizing the door prizes. If we have forgotten anyone, we are very sorry.

We would also like to give a special thank you to Thomas Stacey who does not just put aside one day for picking up trash along our roads. Everyday is clean up day to him.

The list of winners of the Annual Roadside Cleanup is as follows:

1st Prize $250.00

Akwesasne Housing Authority

2nd Prize $200.00

Incredible Snye Team

3rd Prize $150.00

Hunter’s Hope