Nike's N7 Movement: Affecting Generations to Come

With the official pictures of the Nike Holiday N7 Collection released, I thought it would be a good time to go over some what Nike's N7 foundation is all about. Many people buy the N7 collection items because they like the models, colorways, or exclusivity of the collection, but the benefits and meaning goes beyond what you might expect. By the end of this post I hope you have a better understanding on N7's history, contributions, and goals.

History

In 2000, Sam McCracken (currently Nike's Native American Business Manager and Chairman) had a vision to sell Nike products directly to Native American tribes  in order to help promote healthy lifestyles. After its Native American division had been up and running for 7 years, Nike began to collaborate with different experts and tribal leaders in order to design products specifically to meet Native American needs. This group of product was eventually named the Nike Air Native N7. In 2009 Nike expended the product line to offer the Native American inspired products to be purchased by the General public.

Mission

"The N7 Fund is committed to inspiring and enabling participation in sport for Native American and Aboriginal populations in North America. We believe that sport has the power to unleash  human potential. A physically active lifestyle promotes more than exercise. Involvement in sports and physical activity leads to greater self-confidence, enabling youth to be a force for positive change in their communities." 

Behind the Logo

The "N" in N7 stands for either Nike, or Native. and the 7 comes from the Ethos Native belief which reads: " In every deliberation we much consider the impact of our decisions on 7 generations." Many people understand that the 7 stands for generations because it's printed on many N7 products, but what most don't understand is that it isn't about the next 7 generations. Rather, it is about looking to the past 3 generations for guidance and direction, towards 3 future generations to determine change and impact, and applying the reflection from both current and future generations to the present.

The four colors on the N7 logo (Red, Yellow, Black, & White) each have significant meaning of their own. Red represents the spiritual ,yellow the emotional, black the physical, and white the mental aspects of life. The circle itself represents the circle of life, and the breaks between the different colors stand for the different direction of the earth, as all things come full circle.

Turquoise

Turquoise has become a staple within the N7 collection, and it isn't just because it looks good on KDs. Turquoise within Native culture is believed to be the color of friendship, and every time you purchase an N7 product Nike would like to think of you as a friend of the N7 movement.

Impact

Since 2009, Nike has donated over $2 million towards the N7 fund supporting Native American and Aboriginal youth sport programs, helping children experience teamwork, build leadership skills, and inspiring health lifestyles. A portion of all N7 collection products goes toward these funds. Money from the program have already impacted the lives of over 125,000 Native American youth, with grants going to a variety of places; from Boys and Girls Clubs located on Native lands, to research hospitals and wellness departments, the impact is diverse. And, as you can see, the impact of N7 hasn't reach it's heights yet, but Nike sees big potential in the movement.

To apply for grants using N7 funding to support local Native American youth athletics and healthy living visit N7fund.com/apply.