A Voice from the Eastern Door
A Voice from the Eastern Door
Half of the food distributors on Kawehno:ke take a quick break for a group photo, safely 6 feet apart.
A surreal scene many may not have ever seen in their lifetimes - a totally empty Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort parking lot. Photo by Andy Gardner.
Eagles Smoke Shop are adamant about their customers abiding by social distancing guidelines. One sign says, 'Keep six feet apart or go home.' Another offers a free pack of cigarettes to any customers wearing a face mask, which has been recommended by the Centers for Disease Control for anyone going out into public. Photo by Andy Gardner.
Bear's Den server Mary Lou Lester of Brasher and Tammy Butler of Massena serve food for takeout customers. Their dining room, like all others in the area, is closed. Photo by Andy Gardner.
Scotty Pitts of Massena pumps gas at Bear's Den. Photo by Andy Gardner.
Shayla Oakes of Akwesasne stands behind a layer of plexiglass while working the counter at Twin Leaf west. Photo by Andy Gardner.
Big Boy's Gas and Tobacco workers Stephanie Allen and Abram Garrow don protective masks when serving customers. Photo by Andy Gardner.
Cody Smoke mans the drive through tobacco window at Smoker's Warehouse. Photo by Andy Gardner.
Above are Akwesasne Mohawk Ambulance EMT trainees Ambulance Arnold Printup and Chanelle Smoke, and Akwesasne Mohawk Ambulance EMTs Teiostontathe Herne, Kaitlyn Lauzon, Aidan Lazore and Melanie Jacobs. Photo by Andy Gardner.
By: Jaclyn Hall
All throughout Akwesasne and surrounding areas the definition of frontliners is evolving. The brave people who work tirelessly to provide the community with essential services during this pandemic are beginning to be recognized. Just about all public organizations have been closed to the public, some shut down completely, forcing employees to work from home. Services that were deemed essential remain in operation and open to the public.
Occupations such as gas attendants, bank tellers, cooks, cashiers, delivery, first responders, health care workers and media all play a vital role in helping to sustain a community and its economy. Here in Akwesasne, most are playing their part in keeping the community safe. With services such as curbside pickup, drive throughs and delivery being offered at numerous locations on the territory.
Many of our essential workers continue to work tirelessly, even on holidays such as Good Friday. Essential workers deserve a big Niawen Kowa for all that they do, putting their health at risk so that we don't have to. Only the bravest people could put themselves on the line for the well-being of the people.
Reader Comments(0)