Akwesasne Roadside Cleanup 2020

By Mahlon Smoke

As Covid-19 continues to be cause for caution for anyone who ventures outside for essential items and travel only, the Akwesasne Roadside Cleanup pared down their goals and still did an awesome job of keeping Akwesasne clean. Every year the Akwesasne community comes together to clean out the roadsides, often cleaning miles from home and then placing the garbage bags on alongside of the road.

This year brought new concerns about the Cleanup due to Covid-19 and the Pandemic. Officials from Mohawk Council of Akwesasne and the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe stated that as long as participants maintained social distancing rules, and practiced regular cleanup safety guidelines, and stayed close to their own property, the annual Akwesasne Roadside Cleanup could proceed.

In spite of the cold weather, the pandemic, and social distancing rules, some families and programs continued to do their cleanup. Meanwhile, other families took time to clean out their yards and left bagged trash alongside the road for pickup.

This year there seemed to be fewer than usual, possibly due to the cold morning there weren't as many community cleaners this year.

According to Les Benedict, Director of the Environmental Division, "Because of the pandemic, the Akwesasne Task Force was put on hold and it made organizing this a lot more difficult." Benedict also sourced the low participation to people having time to clean up their yards throughout the year. He also mentioned that while the Pandemic had affected this year's roadside clean up, the department and himself are appreciative of the families and groups who did participate in the cleanup regardless of conditions.

"I am extremely thankful to everyone who participated in the cleanup and we're already working with the leader of the Task Force to make the next year Cleanup better." Benedict noted, wishing everyone will continue to clean up the roadsides and promises a better clean-up next year.