Η μεγαλομανία των Τούρκων στις ΗΠΑ

TCA and Turkish Embassy Celebrate American Indian Alaska Native Heritage Month



Marking a new step forward in the burgeoning relationship between the Republic of Turkey and Native American tribes, the Turkish Embassy will host a reception on Nov. 17 to commemorate American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month and celebrate the deepening ties between Turks, Turkish Americans and Native Americans.






The reception is organized by the Turkish Coalition of America (TCA), with support from the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), the National American Indian Housing Council (NAIHC), and the DC Native PR Roundtable.

The event will feature a number of Turkish and Native American cultural performances. Speakers during the reception include Turkish Ambassador Namik Tan, TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy, and NAIHC Executive Director Mellor Willie.

“For the past two years, a unique connection has developed between Native American tribes and the Republic of Turkey, with both peoples expressing interest in creating a new global relationship,” said McCurdy. “This event, when considered in the context of the recent Congressional hearing on the Indian Tribal Trade and Investment Act, which would encourage trade between Turkish companies and tribes, demonstrates the strength of Turkey's interest in building bridges to Native American communities across the U.S.”




TIKA gives grant to American Indians



American-Indians living in Warm Springs region of Oregon, will get potable water with the help of a donation from Turkey

ISTANBUL

Turkey's donation of $200,000 to provide potable water to around five thousand American-Indians in Oregon is welcomed by the US Congress, Lincoln McCurdy, President of the Turkish Coalition of America (TCA) told Anadolu Agency (AA) on Wednesday.

The funds were donated by (TIKA), the Turkish Coordination and Cooperation Agency, whose mission is to contribute to poverty eradication and sustainable development in partner countries.

McCurdy said that Turkey's "good will gesture" shows an equal partnership between the two countries. A partnership which goes back to the 1950s and 1960s when the US helped Turkey develop its infrastructure, highways, irrigation projects. "Now Turkey has become an economic power house in the region, it is showing its gratitude in helping native Americans in the US," says McCurdy.

There are lots of social problems amongst the American Indians says McCurdy, "unemployment is at 80 percent, there is alcoholism, drug abuse, and obesity. It is almost like a third world country. TIKA's grant does not pay for the entire cost but helps pay for most of it for the water tank."

He outlines other projects TCA is involved with, "many African-Americans and Hispanic people don't have the funds for their children to study abroad. We give grants to minority students in US to study abroad programmes in Turkey."