Gizhaawaso Gikinoo’amaagozi: Red Lake Safe Routes to School

Abstract

In the 2009 reauthorization of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), Congress provided the foundation for Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs. Since then, a diverse set of programs have been implemented in rural and tribal communities throughout the country, and the literature provides insight to make Safe Routes work in Tribal communities. I reviewed the literature and best practices on Safe Routes in Tribal communities to make recommendations for the Red Lake Tribal Engineering Department and the Red Lake School District to prepare a request for Safe Routes to School Funding. I offer six recommendations, ranging from the addition of signage around the school zone and along bus routes, to reconstructing the Red Lake Elementary school parking lot.