The fentanyl crisis is hitting young people hard, and the highest death rates are in Native American communities. The Cherokee Nation is working to help young families recover.

The Cherokee Nation's first woman chief revitalized her tribe's culture as she implemented a host of influential progressive policies. But first she had to overcome sexism, say her descendants.

Cherokee Nation officials say their community has been disproportionately harmed by the opioid crisis. The drug companies deny any wrongdoing.

"Some of our population lives marginally so many or our people cannot ride out a storm like this," Chief Chuck Hoskin says. "We're looking ... to pull space heaters to get them out to elders."

Meda Nix, 72, is one of the Cherokee speakers who's received a dose of coronavirus vaccine. She says vaccinating Cherokee speakers early helps to preserve "Our culture. Our beliefs. Our ways."

The book is a mystery of sorts, set at an upscale North Carolina resort during World War II. Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle teaches at a high school with a student population that's 30% Native American.