The Turkish International Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) has offered a $200,000 grant to the Warm Springs Reservation in Oregon. The grant was presented to Warm Springs Chief Joseph Moses at a ceremony held at the reservation in Oregon and attended by Turkish Ambassador to Washington Namık Tan, TİKA President Serdar Çam, tribal chief Moses and a number of other native Americans and guests. Turkish Ambassador Tan and TİKA President Çam presented Moses with a symbolic check for $200,000 at the event. With this aid, TİKA aims to assist in bringing water to the Warming Springs region where nearly 5,000 Native Americans currently reside.

Explaining that they embarked on this project nearly a year ago, Çam acknowledged Prime Minister Erdoğan's support and contribution for their efforts. Çam stated that as Turkey they are contributing to the building of plumbing facilities and a water depot and expressed how pleased they were to be able to assist a friendly community within the framework of Turkey-U.S. relations.

A Humble Beginning

Ambassador Tan mentioned that they have upheld relations with Native American tribes for awhile now and explained, "We asked ourselves how we could contribute to making life easier for the native Americans residing here. TİKA multiplied their contribution to our efforts initiated here resulting in transforming the process into a more beneficial development. This is a humble step for us intended to strengthen our relations with Native American tribes," stated Tan.

"We owe you thanks"

Warm Springs Reservation tribal chief Joseph Moses expressed that this project will indeed make life easier and stated, "I hope we will further our relations and friendship with Turkey. We owe you thanks for the assistance you have given us."

Moses stated that the $200,000 grant will go a long way in supporting the construction of a water tank for a 720-student school they are building.