LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
Residents of Fort Simpson are expected to be out and about getting their hands dirty this Saturday as the village's annual community cleanup takes place.

Deputy mayor Stella Nadia is ready to work on Saturday. She invites the community to help clean up Fort Simpson before summer kicks into full gear. - Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

"We believe in cleaning up our community, making it a beautiful place," said deputy mayor Stella Nadia, who will be leading the cleanup this year.

"In the winter a lot of stuff gets strewn around. We hope everybody takes the time and effort to support us and help us out to beautify our community and get it

ready for spring."

That means picking up trash wherever possible from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.

"Some do it out on the highway, which really needs it right now, but our main focus is the island to get rid of all the garbage," said Nadia.

Last year's cleanup saw about 30 to 40 people come out.

"A lot of kids came out, which is really good because they have so much energy," said Nadia. "They can run faster and farther than we can. We came behind them and picked up the stuff they missed."

As always prizes will be available for children who take part in the cleanup. In previous years items such as bikes, fishing gear and kites have been up for grabs.

"Anything we get as a contribution or donation, we give that out toward the kids for draws," said Nadia. "We believe in setting an example and we hope that we're doing it in a positive note."

Community organizations, such as the graduation committee or friendship centre, will also be eligible to receive $250 lump sums for cleaning up zones around the village.

"We're trying to do it really positively," she said. "We're trying to put all of our differences aside for one day and come together as a community, and it is a beautiful community."

Currently there are eight zones to clean up, but if the interest is there, Nadia said it can be extended to 12. Nadia invites any other interested groups to contact the village ahead of the weekend.

The village wants to make sure it is nice and clean in time for graduation and summer.

"We have a lot of people who come in from other communities and around to visit for the summer and we try to have it litter-free," she said.

Rubber gloves and garbage bags will be handed out to all participants in the morning. After the cleanup, the village will host a community barbecue.

"I'm just hoping we get a wonderful turnout this weekend," said Nadia. "It's just to make our community a more beautiful place."

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