The U.S. Department of Transportation announced on Thursday more than $21 million to improve road safety across Indian Country — including three tribes across the Grand Canyon State.
The Colorado River Indian Tribes, Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians and White Mountain Apache Tribe were awarded $389,740.
In all, 61 federally recognized tribes from more than a dozen states got grants through the Tribal Transportation Program Safety Fund, which falls under the Federal Highway Administration.
Since the fund’s founding in 2012, more than $141 million has been disbursed to at least 1,000 projects meant to reduce roadway fatalities. Indigenous peoples have the highest rates of motor vehicle-related deaths per capita compared to all racial and ethnic groups.
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More than half of the 2,400 miles of Route 66 pass through Indian Country. And much of it follows ancient Native American hunting trails and trade routes. -
From frybread to biscochitos, Indigenous cooks have relied on Blue Bird Flour in its iconic cotton bag since the 1930s. The Southwest staple has now found space inside the Heard Museum in Phoenix. -
Tuesday marks the deadline to comment on a Trump administration proposal that could roll back a two-decade ban on mineral leases — including oil and gas drilling — around Chaco Culture National Historical Park in New Mexico. -
The Department of Child Safety is backing a package of bills to reform Arizona’s child welfare agency. -
County officials discussed the opportunity of connecting Tucson to the Mexican passenger rail network at a Pima Association of Governments meeting in January. The meeting included participation from the Mexican railroad agency and consulate.
