EDITORS/NEWS DIRECTORS:
Native American tribes have been hit particularly hard by the opioid crisis across the U.S., and they're receiving funds from settlements with drugmakers, wholesalers, pharmacies and other companies that were sued over the toll of the drugs.
The settlements so far total about $58 billion over time, according to a tally by Christine Minhee, who runs Opioid Settlement Tracker. Of that, tribes are expected to get around $1.3 billion.
Experts call for reflecting tribal culture in projects that use the funding, noting it can have healing power.
The Cherokee Nation is heeding that advice with a treatment center slated to open next year in Oklahoma that was funded through settlements.
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READ THE STORY
Cherokee Nation integrates culture into new treatment center built with opioid settlement funds
The coverage is a collaboration between KOSU in Oklahoma City and The Associated Press as part of AP's Global Indigenous Reporting Network. ___
HOW MUCH ARE TRIBES IN YOUR AREA SET TO RECEIVE?
While the $1.3 billion total for tribes is an estimate and subject to some change, the settlement agreements spell out the portion of the tribal allocation for hundreds of tribes and Alaska Native corporations.
This interactive table created by AP shows the approximate amounts. The embed code for the interactive can be found at the end of this guide.
You can also use this spreadsheet.
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CONSIDER THESE REPORTING THREADS
— How are tribes in your area using opioid settlement funds?
— How are they measuring the effectiveness of the programs?
— Do tribal members impacted by addiction believe the settlement funds are being used the right way?
— Do the priorities set by tribes square with the recommendations from experts? The Center for Indigenous Health has a set of principles for use of the tribal settlements. Another group of organizations convened by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health has principles for use of government settlement funds.
— Are any of the efforts far enough along to show results? If so, what are they?
— The same questions can be the basis of reporting on opioid settlement spending for state and local governments in your area.
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READ ADDITIONAL AP COVERAGE
Tribes: Settlement in opioids case will foster healing
As COVID fueled the drug crisis, Native Americans hit worst
As billions roll in to fight the US opioid epidemic, one county shows how recovery can work
Local governments struggle to distribute their share of billions from opioid settlements
OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma set to dissolve after judge approves its criminal sentence
How should the opioid settlements be spent? Those hit hardest often don’t have a say
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EMBED THIS TABLE
The following digital embed reveals the Native American tribes that will receive a share of the $1.3 billion Purdue opioid settlement and how much each tribe will entitled to receive. This graphic is current as of May 14, 2026 and will not update. Source: AP analysis of settlement documents
To embed, insert this code into your CMS:
!-- start AP embed --
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!-- end AP embed --
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