Effective immediately, I have established and implemented a new process for communicating with Tribal Leaders throughout the Nation.  All future correspondence from me to Tribal Leaders will be addressed personally to each of them in recognition of and respect for the Government-to-Government relationship between the Indian Health Service (IHS) and each Tribal Government.

The IHS Headquarters Office of Tribal Programs (OTP) mailing list/database containing the names and addresses of each Tribal Leader and Tribe will be used for personalizing the Tribal Leader letters.  Because it is extremely important that the OTP database be kept current at all times, I have requested each Area Director's assistance to ensure that changes in Tribal Leaders and/or other contact information included in the OTP mailing list/database are kept up to date.

Area Directors are encouraged to continue communicating with Tribal Leaders directly and personally, as they deem appropriate.  I am confident I will have your support in this important endeavor to ensure that correspondence reaches the appropriate official in a timely and accurate manner.

Specific information regarding the use of the mailing list/database to accomplish the related mail merging for letters and other correspondence will be provided separately by the OTP.  Questions should be directed to the OTP at (301) 443-1104.