Kana:takon Riverbed Cleanup held on Saturday

 

Making a perfect splash into the river, Dorothy is familiar with the area and knows where to go and what to look for. Photo by Cheryl Jacobs.

Armed with backhoes, rakes and garbage bags, divers and volunteers gathered early Saturday, August 1st to clean up Kana:takon's 'The Point'. Volunteers came from all districts in Akwesasne to assist Jessica Shenandoah and Fallon Jacobs efforts to maintain a popular swimming spot.

In advertising for the cleanup, Shenandoah made it clear her and Fallon's efforts were done on a volunteer basis, "Although I do work for MCA, we are not organizing this cleanup on behalf of MCA nor am I organizing the cleanup on work time, but we do appreciate the help received from DTS and AMPS as well as the other helpers we mentioned in the flyer. The cleanup crew is participating at their own risk and we are completely confident in their skills and capabilities". Nia:wen!"

Shenandoah said the idea came from Fallon Jacobs while they were visiting each other. Together, with experience and ambition, they pulled together everything they needed to maintain a clean, safe public area for Akwesasronon. Shenandoah and Jacobs expressed they 'really appreciate' previous cleanups done in this area. Still, with previous cleanups and the cleaning they completed this past Saturday, they recommend children wear water shoes while swimming at the Point. For all that they removed from the riverbed, there is still plenty of broken glass remaining. Among other trash, the volunteers filled a container full of broken glass, pieces of metal, an old grill and twelve tires.

Shenandoah had participated in previous cleanups organized by the Tribe and MCA so she had a firm foundation of experience and knowledge to know what was needed to safely conduct a volunteer riverbed cleanup; and volunteers showed up by the dozen.

The Point Beach, a "Zero Tolerance Zone, a safe space for the next Seven Generations. Photo by Cheryl Jacobs.

Mohawk Council of Akwesasne's Department of Transportation covered the cost of a container and tipping fee. Andy and Patricia from Cornwall Diving spent a total of seven hours searching, gathering and pulling out trash from the riverbed. Some bottles and glass had been there for several decades showing smooth edges from water wear reminiscent of sea glass. Dee Herne provided lunch, Dodie Smoke brought water and juice, Abby Mitchell and Penny Peters donated gifts for the divers, Mike Gray brought his backhoe and sponsorships from Phil & Mary Gray, Marlon Johnson and Scott Kimble. Also, the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service provided security for the volunteers and Cheryl Jacobs provided photography services. There were many individuals who dropped off food and drinks while others volunteered to clean including Mike Francis, Gordon King, Abraham (Abe) Lazore, Lars Mitchell and Andy King.

Shenandoah added this cleanup would not been possible without the people who contributed to previous clean up in the past; Lars Mitchell, Landon Mitchell, Danielle-Sunday Mitchell, Peter Lazore, Jeremy Jacobs, Dave Square, Mike Francis, the late Dave Francis, Abe King, Clearwater Roundpoint and Vincent Skidders.

 

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