Mazzy, age 9, and Ransom, age 6, were adopted by Gary and Cassie Walker after their biological parents got caught up in the opioid epidemic. The Walkers have adopted or fostered nine Cherokee kids during the drug crisis. Brian Mann/NPR
By Brian Mann, National Public Radio (NPR), March 19, 2023
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.
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