When you establish as American Indian or Alaska Native (AI/AN), you’re greater than 3 times as more likely to be killed whereas strolling, in contrast with the common American.
By Ian Thomas
This stunning and tragic statistic was the main target of America Walks’ July ninth webinar, throughout which tribal security, well being, planning, transportation, and group engagement consultants mentioned why pedestrian fatalities are so excessive in Indian Nation and what to do about it. This webinar launched a brand new venture funded by the Nationwide Security Council’s Highway to Zero program, wherein America Walks is partnering with the next tribal leaders and communities:
Sheri Bozic, Director of Planning, Growth, and Transportation, Pueblo of Jemez
Hillary Mead, Major Prevention Program Supervisor, Cherokee Nation Public Well being
HollyAnna CougarTracks DeCoteau Littlebull, Yakama tribal chief, public security andplanning skilled, artist, and activist
Maja Pederson, Assistant Professor, College of Public and Group Well being Sciences,College of Montana
All the companions besides HollyAnna Littlebull (who was busy combating wildfires and serving to residents evacuate from areas of Yakama Nation) participated within the webinar panel, and everybody agreed that the primary motive for the disaster of pedestrian fatalities in Indian Nation is the high-speed highways which minimize by way of pueblos, reservations, and the city and suburban areas of cities the place many AI/AN individuals dwell. When a automobile strikes a pedestrian, affect pace is an important think about figuring out whether or not or not the collision might be deadly, and roadways in tribal communities are so usually designed for prime speeds.
Panelists spent the rest of the webinar discussing finest practices for lowering automobile speeds, and describing particular actions they’re planning for the 12-month Highway to Zero venture.
The most important single occasion might be an in-person workshop and Fast-Construct venture, coordinated by Sheri Bozic and hosted within the Pueblo of Jemez, New Mexico this fall. Members from two earlier “Coverage Spherical Tables on Tribal Pedestrian Security” (a digital occasion in 2022 and an in- particular person session on the 2023 Nationwide Transportation in Indian Nation Convention) might be invited to attend and the agenda will embrace formation of the Nationwide Coalition for Tribal Pedestrian Security.
Sheri is working with the New Mexico Division of Transportation to implement a Fast-Construct visitors calming venture on State Freeway 4, which bisects the village with a unending stream of high-speed visitors. This can characterize the subsequent step within the Pueblo of Jemez’ Protected Transportation Initiative, following the identification of issues in a 2007 Highway Security Audit, development of a pedestrian path alongside Freeway 4 which is at the moment nearing completion, and a latest Fast-Construct venture on one of many village roads.
A workgroup led by Hillary Mead (Cherokee Nation Public Well being) will develop schooling and coaching supplies targeted on tribal pedestrian security. Constructing on an present Protected Routes to College venture supported by Oklahoma State College’s Excessive Weight problems Program, tales might be gathered from tribal members (kids and adults) who stroll alongside high-speed roadways daily, as a primary step. Finally, a useful resource library of truth sheets, public consciousness campaigns, technical toolkits, pattern insurance policies, and coaching packages for communities and professionals might be developed.
Working with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Nation, Maja Pedersen will lead an indication venture to middle underrepresented voices in transportation planning, utilizing the Stanford Our Voice public engagement device. This community-based, participatory analysis course of will make sure that the lived expertise of these most impacted by unsafe roadways is the place to begin for efforts to establish social and constructed setting elements regarding pedestrian security amongst AI/AN older adults, thereby resulting in efficient methods to mitigate the hurt.
Within the spring of 2025, tribal pedestrian security workshops and Fast-Construct visitors calming initiatives might be applied in partnership with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and with Cherokee Nation. And, lastly, the Our Voice device might be used to guage the success of all the instructional and constructed setting interventions in these tribal communities.
Try the complete recording of the webinar:
