Opioids are devastating Cherokee families. The tribe has a $100 million plan to heal

https://www.npr.org/2023/03/19/ [login to see] /fentanyl-addiction-opioid-native-american-cherokee-nation
Late one afternoon, Mazzy Walker gives a tour of her family's farm near Tahlequah, Okla., capital of the Cherokee Nation.

"Cows are walking, turkeys, a dog," she said, giggling at her role as tour-guide. "I don't know what!"

Mazzy is 9 years old. Walking through the grass, she wears a flowing red dress, huge eyeglasses and big boots. She's curious about everything.

"So I heard you live in New York?" she said to a reporter who had come to visit.

"Tell him why you want to go there, Mazzy," said Gary Walker, her dad. She grins and answers, "Because there's an American Girl doll store." Turns out Mazzy loves American Girl dolls.

Mazzy and her 6-year-old brother, Ransom, are both Cherokee, as is Gary. The kids are also both adopted. Their biological parents got caught up in the opioid crisis that has hit the reservation with devastating force.

"All of the children we've adopted or fostered have been because of that," said Cassie Walker, Gary's wife. So far, they've taken in nine Cherokee kids.