The Turkish Coalition of America hosted a dinner on April 24 for Rep. Tom Cole (OK-4) and Leroy Sumatzkuku, a representative of the Hopi Native American Tribe. The dinner was organized as part of TCA's program to promote economic, educational and cultural ties between the Hopi Tribe and the nation of Turkey. The Hopi Tribe will soon be announcing its first Honorary Representative to Turkey.
"TCA hopes that this is only the start of a flourishing relationship between Indigenous Peoples in the Americas and Turkey," said G. Lincoln McCurdy, President of TCA. "Our outreach to the Native American tribes reflects the TCA's mandate to build understanding between cultures through people to people exchanges."
"The participation of Congressman Tom Cole, as the only Native American member of the US House of Representatives is particularly meaningful," said McCurdy. " Congressman Cole's dedication to the Indigenous Peoples and to building relations with Turkey demonstrates the kind of positive role elected representatives can play in creating opportunities for Americans and building bridges between nations," concluded McCurdy.