Residents are concerned with papers, empties, cigarette butts, food containers and chip bags in the Gateway to Nahanni.

The last-stop before Nahanni National Park, Fort Simpson has a litter problem thatSA国际影视传媒檚 left Darlene Tsetso-Horassi and her volunteers picking up trash in high-traffic areas to beautify the village for tourists and residents. 

The litter frustrates Tsetso-Horassi, whoSA国际影视传媒檚 manager of the Village of Fort Simpson Visitor Information Centre and has a SA国际影视传媒渉uge passion for keeping trash in its place.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淚t makes no sense because there are trash bins and recycling bins all along the main road, but people just arenSA国际影视传媒檛 doing their part,SA国际影视传媒� she told News/North. 

She organizes regular clean-ups, usually in the evening or Saturday afternoons from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. They tend to occur before and after community events, when the trash issues tend to spike. 

For instance, there was a clean-up before National Indigenous Peoples Day, and another after Dehcho annual assembly. ThereSA国际影视传媒檚 also tentative plans to organize another outing for July 29. 

However, after a recent outing on July 13, and the following July 15 council meeting, she received an anonymous complaint. It said the town was SA国际影视传媒渄irty.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淭hat just really rubbed me the wrong way,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚t was really upsetting.SA国际影视传媒�

ItSA国际影视传媒檚 frustrating because she and her staff work hard to clean the community, she said. On Facebook, she posted a sign on a town fence saying "Before You Complain... ...Have You Volunteered Yet???"

Her visitorSA国际影视传媒檚 centre season runs from May 17 to September 30, but SA国际影视传媒渞ecycling and cleaning up trash is an all year event in my books,SA国际影视传媒�  Tsetso-Horassi said. 

When organizing an outing, she tries to provide incentives: the first clean-up program offered prizes for the largest garbage bag, and largest bag of recyclables. That event had a turnout of about seven, she said. 

When volunteers are done, there are free snacks SA国际影视传媒� meat and cheese trays, crackers, cookies, and drinks. 

At the last outing there were ten participants. They told her it was a good feeling to participate.

SA国际影视传媒淲hen weSA国际影视传媒檙e on the sides of the roads picking up trash, people in our town see us and are driving by us, and (congratulating them), but why canSA国际影视传媒檛 you come out here and help us?SA国际影视传媒� Tsetso-Horassi said.

Patrick Rowe, owner of Rowe's Recycling, said the town should do more to get behind pick-up efforts. 

He said he wants to meet with Darlene and to entice more people, because SA国际影视传媒渢he townSA国际影视传媒檚 looking pretty crappy,SA国际影视传媒� he said. 

He added the village staff should also pitch in to SA国际影视传媒渓ead by example.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淚f they started doing it, I think more people would start falling into place.SA国际影视传媒�

He would supply a truck if the volunteers need it, and hopes to encourage more resident involvement. 

SA国际影视传媒淚 got to either put up or shut up,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚f ISA国际影视传媒檓 not out there, obviously I canSA国际影视传媒檛 really say someone else should. But we will put our money where our mouth is. WeSA国际影视传媒檒l help out Darlene anyway we can.SA国际影视传媒� 

Meanwhile, Darlene Tsetso-Horassi plans to organize more clean-ups.

SA国际影视传媒淚 just want a huge vacuum to go around this town,SA国际影视传媒� she said.