How to Address Native American Tribal Officials?



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HONOR & RESPECT

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   1. Formula For
       How to Address     
   2. Q&A / Blog On
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   3. Q&A / Blog on
       How to Address
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How to Address Tribal Officials
Questions & Answers, Frequently Asked Questions, and Blog

Site updated by Robert Hickey on May 20, 2013

How to Address a Chief of a Native American Tribe?
Dear Robert,
    I work in the Mayor's office and we are sending out invitations to the opening of our new civic center. There are two chiefs of local tribes on the list. How do I address the envelopes? Are they Honorables like the the county and state officials on the list?
      - Sonja in Texas

Dear Sonja,
   T
ribes do use the courtesy title the Honorable when addressing their chiefs. Many have explained to me that as sovereign nations, their elected officials are granted the same courtesy title as elected officials of the United States. Be sure to check with the tribes for their preferred form of address and the exact title of their "chief" (that varies too). Some tribes have a chief -- others a president -- and still others a governor.
    I have a chapter on tribal officials in my book (see pages 235-242) which includes the titles used in tribal governments help out in exactly these situations.

      -- Robert Hickey

How to Address an
Envelope the Chief of a Tribe?

        I read your answer to Sonja on the topic of addressing tribal officials:  "Dear Sonja, Tribes use the courtesy title the Honorable when addressing their chiefs" but am still a bit confused. When you say "addressing" I don't think you mean the would be "the Honorable" in a salutation, but that's how I read it.
        What makes this more confusing is that I consulted a person who works often with Tribal officials and she thought the salutation in the letter should be Honorable (Full Name): That just doesn't sound right to me.
        So, I am not certain of either the format for the inside address or for the salutation. Here is what I think is correct? If not, what would you suggest?
        The Honorable (Full Name)
        Chairman, Hopi Tribe
        PO  Box ABC
       
City, Arizona  Zip Code
And then, for the salutation:
        Dear Mr. (Surname):

      
       -- Tim in Phoenix

Dear Tim,
      I love Phoenix. Haven't been there in a while, but hope to get there next year.
      A "courtesy title" (The Honorable is a courtesy title) is used before a full name in full written address. Just using Honorable with the name (without a the) is not correct.
      In a formal salutation and conversation with chairpersons you use an "honorific" (Mr./Mrs./Dr. are honorifics) and the person's last name. It is not impossible they might not call him Chairman (Full Name) sometimes, but Chairman isn't typically used as a honorific in conversation or in a salutation for chairpersons, so I prefer what you did -- choosing Mr..  See also the post "What is the Salutation for the  Chair of a Tribal Council? "
     So, confused or not, you did it exactly right.
       -- Robert Hickey

What is the Salutation for the Chair of a Tribal Council?
    I am an 11-year-old 5th grader working on a school project.  I have to write to the Tribal Council Chair of an Indian Tribe.  I have found the Chair's name and the address.  However, I am not sure of the proper salutation and don't want to offend him.  I want to be his friend. I am hoping you could give me some advice on this.  Do I use Mr. (name) or Chairman (name)?
        Thank you for your advice.
        -- Sarah Strahan

Dear Miss Strahan, 
 
  I have a form for that office on page 236. Chairman is not formally used as an honorific in writing (you will hear it used verbally sometimes).
Mr./Madame (office) is the most formal.  Mr./Mrs./Ms. (Surname) is probably the standard form for chairs of councils. So here are two good options:
     Dear Mr. Chairman:    
           OR
     Dear Mr. (Surname):
        -- Robert Hickey


Not Finding Your Question Answered?
Below are other topics covered in my blog and at right is a list of officials, Between the two I probably have what you are looking for.
     After hunting around a bit, if you don't see your question answered send me an e-mail. I am pretty fast at sending a reply: usually the next day (unless I am traveling.)
      If I think your question is of interest to others, I will post the question & answer – with your name and any personal specifics changed.
      -- Robert Hickey

USE OF NAMES & HONORIFICS   
Mr., Miss, Jr., III, & Names        
Married Women       
Deceased Persons         
People with Two Titles
Post-Nominal Abbreviations and Initials           
Joint Forms of Address    (How to address a couple?)   

USE OF SPECIFIC OFFICIAL TITLES        
Former Officials            
Professionals and Academics        

United States Federal Officials, Currently In Office             
United States State Officials, Currently In Office              
United States Municipal Officials, Currently In Office             
       All About The Honorable with U.S. Officials         
       Former United States Officials of all types             
United States Armed Services, Active Duty             
       Addressing Retired Personnel      
       Use of Rank by Retired Personnel      
       Use of Rank by Veterans      

Tribal Officials 
           
Clergy and Religious Officials           
Canadian Officials         
Australian Officials          
British Officials, Royalty, and Nobility        
Diplomats and International Representatives
           
Foreign National Officials and Nobility        

SPECIFIC SITUATIONS
Business Cards       
Etiquette
            
Flags and Anthem Protocol             
Introductions
            
Invitations: Writing & Addressing
        
Invitations: Just Armed Service Personnel        
Name Tags            
Names on Programs, Signs, & Lists            
Naming a Building or Road            
Place Cards            

Plaques, Awards, Diplomas, Certificates    
Precedence: Ordering Officials 
         
Thank You Notes             


Site updated by Robert Hickey on May 20, 2013


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Robert Hickey is the author of Honor & Respect:
The Official Guide to Names, Titles, and Forms of Address
Published by The Protocol School of Washington®
Foreword by Pamela Eyring

Copyright © 2013 Robert Hickey.     All Rights Reserved.
Book Photo: Marc Goodman.