Jay Tavare

Jay Tavare /ˈtævɑːˈreɪ/ is an American film actor and journalist. His career spans more than 18 years. A blogger on The Huffington Post, he also serves as a spokesman of non-profit groups related to aiding Native American children and elders on several reservations.^{[citation needed]} Of White Mountain Apache (Dzil Łigai Si'án Ndee - “People of the White Mountains”) and Navajo ancestry,^{[citation needed]} he has used his public position to aid his peoples.

Early life and education

Of Apache-Navajo ancestry, Tavare was born on the Navajo Nation.^{[citation needed]} An athletic boy, he learned to ride and care for horses. As a young man he competed in dance contests, including in Europe.

Film career

His first role in film was as the narcissistic Spanish ninja Vega in the live-action adaptation of the video game series Street Fighter. As a guest star on the CSI Miami 2008 season finale, Tavare performed all his own stunts, including a 23-story free fall.^{[citation needed]} His repertoire of physical skills includes martial arts, dancing, acrobatics, bare back riding, archery and swordsmanship.

Civic activities

He has worked to publicize non-profits for several Indian nations. He travels regularly to visit the youth at the Mescalero Apache reservation in New Mexico.^{[citation needed]} He has reported on the issue of teenage suicide and publicized a suicide prevention program at the reservation, called Honor Your Life.^[1]

Tavare is the celebrity spokesperson for Adopt-a-Native-Elder (ANE), a non-profit organization organized by two women, Linda Myers and Grace Yellowhammer, that provides support through donations and volunteers to 500 Navajo elders in Utah and Arizona who choose to live traditionally.^[2]

Blogger

He writes a blog for The Huffington Post.^[3] He has been an invited speaker at Brown University.^{[citation needed]}

Filmography

References

External links

• Jay Tavare at the Internet Movie Database
• Jay Tavare Official site, USA
• "Jay Tavare", Huffington Post blog
• Adopt a Native Elder, Official Website
• Official site DE
• Vega – Jay Tavare as Vega in Street Fighter The Movie