**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, Tribes 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 HickeyWhat 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 StrahanDear 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. If you don't see your question answered send me an e-mail. I am pretty fast at sending a reply and if I think It would be of interest to others, I will post the question and the answer with all the names and personal specifics removed. -- Robert HickeyUSE OF NAMES & HONORIFICS Mr., Miss, Jr., III, & Names Married Women Deceased Persons People with Two TitlesPost-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 Etiquette Flags: Traditions and Protocol Introductions Invitations: Writing & Addressing Invitations: Just Armed Service Personnel Name Tags Names on Programs, Signs, & Lists Place Cards Precedence: Ordering Officials Thank You Notes Site updated by Robert Hickey on October 9, 2011 Back to Main Page of the Robert Hickey's BLOG 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 © 2011 Robert Hickey. All Rights Reserved.Book Photo: Marc Goodman. |