The Cherokee Nation has reached a $75 million settlement with three opioid distributors to resolve opioid-related claims against the companies.

The tribe and the companies announced the deal on Tuesday.

The Tahlequah, Oklahoma-based tribe announced the settlement with McKesson Corporation, Cardinal Health, and AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation. The settlement is the largest in Cherokee Nation and will be paid out over six and a half years.

“Today’s settlement will make an important contribution to addressing the opioid crisis in the Cherokee Nation Reservation; a crisis that has disproportionately and negatively affected many of our citizens,” Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr was quoted by the Associated Press as saying.

“This settlement will enable us to increase our investments in mental health treatment facilities and other programs to help our people recover,” Hoskin Jr added.

The tribe sued the three companies, along with several pharmacy companies, in 2017, alleging they contributed to “an epidemic of prescription opioid abuse” within the tribe and have not done enough to prevent tribal members from acquiring illegally prescribed opioid painkillers.

According to state statistics, more than 4,600 people in Oklahoma died from opioid overdoses from 2007 to 2017.

According to a joint statement by the three companies, the settlement is a step toward “a broader settlement with all federally recognized Native American tribes across the country.”

“While the companies strongly dispute the allegations against them, they believe this resolution will allow the companies to focus their attention and resources on the safe and secure delivery of medications and therapies while delivering meaningful relief to affected communities, and will also support efforts to achieve a broad resolution with the remaining Native American tribes,” the statement said, according to the Associated Press.

The Cherokee Nation’s claims against Walmart, Walgreens and CVS are pending.

The settlement announced Tuesday is separate from similar claims brought by other tribes, as well as state and local governments, around the country, including a multi-district litigation proceeding in federal court in Ohio.

(With AP inputs)