Jay is an associate scholar of the Center for World Indigenous Studies, a correspondent to Fourth World Eye, and a contributing editor of Fourth World Journal. Since 1994, he has served as the administrative director of Public Good Project, a volunteer network of researchers, analysts and activists engaged in defending democracy. As a consultant, he has assisted indigenous peoples seeking justice in such bodies as the European Court of Human Rights and the United Nations.

In a previous life, Jay worked as a sea captain in the coastal fisheries of Washington and Alaska, and has many fond memories of storytelling with American Indians. He now spends considerable time as a mentor and advisor to writers, scholars, and organizers throughout the English-speaking world.