“Windows to Our Ways”
The Voices and Stories of Our People

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PLEASE CONTACT: Brandie Blakely, (703) 821-2226 x229

“Windows to Our Ways” is the first Native American talk show to be hosted and broadcasted in the Nation’s Capital. The first show of the series will air September 17th at 6:30pm, September 20th at 2:00pm, and September 22nd at 7:00pm on Fairfax Public Access Channel 10.

A press conference for “Windows to Our Ways” will be held Monday, August 27th before the taping and we would like for you to attend. The host, Patricia Parker and her guests, Jackie Johnson, Ray Tracey, and Jana will be available for interviews from 10:00am to 12:00pm and 2:30-3:30pm. The series director and co-producer, McKay Daines and executive director of channel 10, Joan Betros are available during these times as well.

The show has been developed to preserve the cultural diversity of native people by not only exploring native issues from a nationwide perspective but also by adding native entertainment to balance the show. Each show will feature guests who have made an impact on Indian country and will also spotlight a Tribal Community during a video segment at the end. This is the first of twelve pilot programs that will address issues such as Tribal sovereignty, Indian culture, arts and entertainment, business, environment, and health to name a few. “Windows to Our Ways” is a show to bridge the gap between native culture and other cultures.

The host and co-producer, Patricia Parker, who is Oklahoma Choctaw, is also the owner and president of Native American Management Services, Inc. (NAMS) in McLean, Virginia. Her company has provided services to tribes across the country through contracts with government and private agencies for over a decade. Ms. Parker has built a rapport with many native organizations and currently serves on several executive boards nationwide. She has envisioned producing and hosting “Windows to Our Ways” since inception of NAMS. You can find out more on NAMS and “Windows to Our Ways” at www.namsinc.org

The first guest, Jacqueline Johnson, Tlingit from Alaska, is the Executive Director of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), the oldest and largest national organization of Indian Nations. She has served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Native American Programs of the Department of Housing and Urban Development in Washington, DC and the chair of the National American Indian Housing Council. She has also served as Chair of NCAI’s Economic Development and Finance Committee, while serving as Executive Director of the Tlingit and Haida Regional Housing Authority.

Mr. Ray Tracey, artist, actor, and producer will be the second guest to appear on the show. He is best known for his unique designs with traditional Navajo jewelry. He started making and selling his jewelry nearly three decades ago at flea markets and traveling shows and has since opened galleries in Scottsdale, AZ and Sante Fe, NM along with his website that accommodates customers worldwide. Other than his successful jewelry business, Ray has had a tremendous acting career as well and has starred in the films Seems Like Old Times with Goldie Hawn and Joe Panther with Brian Keith, as well as roles in the television series -- Hart to Hart, Lou Grant, How the West was Won, Centennial, and Private Benjamin. He is currently starring in and is the Executive Producer for Dream Catcher, a Native American comedy to be shot later this year. To view some of Ray’s beautiful jewelry designs, go to www.traceyltd.com

The third guest, Jana, is a rising Native star who’s single “More Than Life,” was recently featured on Billboard Magazines hot shot debut list at #29. Jana has also been featured in the New York Times style section and New York’s Gotham magazine which premiered this year. She has performed for some exciting venues such as the New York Native Blues Festival, Mardi Gras, and on the set of her new TV show “The Grove” which began airing in February of this year. To find out more on Jana, go to her website at www.jananation.com

The director and co-producer of the series is McKay Daines, a well-known writer and director and a Great Falls, Virginia resident. McKay is the writer, director and producer of an independent film, Dream Catcher, which begins shooting in November in Arizona. The film is a romantic comedy which takes place on the reservation and features an all Native cast. McKay is currently writing and pre-producing Lakota Dawn, based on a novel by well-known author Janelle Taylor. To find out about more upcoming film projects, go to www.mckaydaines.com

August, 27th
Interviews are from 10:00am-12:00pm
And 2:30-3:30pm
Taping time is 1:00pm

The first broadcast of “Windows to Our Ways” will be on Fairfax Public Access Channel 10. Fairfax Public Access is public minded, public-spirited and community focused serving 900,000 residents of Fairfax County through services and programs on three television channels and a cable radio station. Fairfax Public Access is one of the top five public access centers in the United States and serves as a model public production facility.

Joan Betros, executive director of Channel 10, and a co-producer of the series developed this program.

To receive a copy of our press packet or to pre-order a video, contact Brandie Blakely at (703) 821-2226 x 229. Please RSVP.