Nike designs shoe for American Indians

[almaty 19]

BEAVERTON, Ore. - Nike on Tuesday unveiled what it said is the first shoe designed specifically for American Indians, an effort aiming at promoting physical fitness in a population with high obesity rates.

The Beaverton-based company says the Air Native N7 is designed with a larger fit for the distinct foot shape of American Indians, and has a culturally specific look. It will be distributed solely to American Indians; tribal wellness programs and tribal schools nationwide will be able to purchase the shoe at wholesale price and then pass it along to individuals, often at no cost.

"Nike is aware of the growing health issues facing Native Americans," said Sam McCracken, manager of Nike's Native American Business program. "We are stepping up our commitment ... to elevate the issue of Native American health and wellness."

Nike said it is the first time it has designed a shoe for a specific race or ethnicity. It said all profits from the sale of the shoe will be reinvested in health programs for tribal lands, where problems with obesity, diabetes and related conditions are near epidemic levels in some tribes.

Nike designers and researchers looked at the feet of more than 200 people from more than 70 tribes nationwide and found that in general, American Indians have a much wider and taller foot than the average shoe accommodates. The average shoe width of men and women measured was three width sizes larger than the standard Nike shoe.

As a result, the Air Native is wider with a larger toe box. The shoe has fewer seams for irritation and a thicker sock liner for comfort.

Jerry Bread, outreach coordinator for the Native American Studies program at University of Oklahoma, said the idea was "fantastic" and addressed a core issue for tribes, though he was skeptical that the feet of people from so many tribes could be so similar.

"It's an excellent gesture and I know it will get a lot of support from tribal people," Bread said. "We stand to profit from it in our physical health and well being."

Dr. Kelly Acton, director of the national diabetes program for Indian Health Services, said she was dubious of working with a corporation at first but said she was delighted with the result, saying Nike "bent over backwards" to design a shoe and respect public health needs.

The N7 name is a reference to the seventh generation theory, used by some tribes to look to the three generations preceding them for wisdom and the three generations ahead for their legacy.

The design features several "heritage callouts" as one product manager described it, including sunrise to sunset to sunrise patterns on the tongue and heel of the shoe. Feather designs adorn the inside and stars are on the sole to represent the night sky.

The company anticipates selling at least 10,000 pairs and raising $200,000 for tribal programs. At $42.80 wholesale, it represents less of a financial opportunity than a goodwill and branding effort.

"The reason I like it is that, even if there's not a big Native American market, it gives people the impression there is a constituency that deserves attention," said John Dickson, a member of the executive council of the Native American Leadership Alliance in Washington, D.C.

Paul Swangard, managing director of the Warsaw Sports Marketing Center at the University of Oregon, said the product reflects how Nike does business.

The company prides itself on designing specifically for certain athletes and having close ties to its customers. Nike has been involved with the tribal community for years, supporting tribal athletic teams, events and other social initiatives.

"It reinforces the core of the Nike brand, which is: If you have a body you are an athlete," Swangard said.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

That's great. Now if Nike would stop contracting out to sweat shops across Asia.

Nike is one of the largest, most popular, and most profitable shoe and clothing companies in the world. But the reality for many workers overseas making Nike shoes and clothing is far less rosy. Workers are paid wages insufficient to meet their basic needs, are not allowed to organize independent unions, and often face health and safety hazards.

http://www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/sweatshops/nike/

[almaty 19]

i agree....i think nike is trying to help with PR by doing this.....the programs mentioned..have started since there was a backlash many years ago....

but still, i think it is great..the Indians are happy on the Res.,

[Mags 112]

Although Nike's working practices may be a "little" under par, at least they are trying to make an effort. As mentioned above, this isn't a venture that is going to make them much money. *shrugs*

[Jasman0717 9]

Wow, learn something new every day

[Nagishkaw 510]

i agree....i think nike is trying to help with PR by doing this.....the programs mentioned..have started since there was a backlash many years ago....

but still, i think it is great..the Indians are happy on the Res.,

Maybe they would be happier if they didn't have to live on a Rez.

[Ban Hammer 13,352]

i agree....i think nike is trying to help with PR by doing this.....the programs mentioned..have started since there was a backlash many years ago....

but still, i think it is great..the Indians are happy on the Res.,

Maybe they would be happier if they didn't have to live on a Rez.

with hantavirus as a neighbor.

[Mags 112]

i agree....i think nike is trying to help with PR by doing this.....the programs mentioned..have started since there was a backlash many years ago....

but still, i think it is great..the Indians are happy on the Res.,

Maybe they would be happier if they didn't have to live on a Rez.

Good point.

[almaty 19]

i agree....i think nike is trying to help with PR by doing this.....the programs mentioned..have started since there was a backlash many years ago....

but still, i think it is great..the Indians are happy on the Res.,

Maybe they would be happier if they didn't have to live on a Rez.

lol...i see you have not been too many Reservations......most Indians, see this as their homeland and under eisenhower admin...they were ncouraged to move away..most came back...the res. is home to the ones i ahve been too ...and i ahve been too allot of them and lived on 3

i agree....i think nike is trying to help with PR by doing this.....the programs mentioned..have started since there was a backlash many years ago....

but still, i think it is great..the Indians are happy on the Res.,

Maybe they would be happier if they didn't have to live on a Rez.

Good point.

]

no sister mags is was not

[Nagishkaw 510]

Note, I said " MAYBE " . I have been to enough, thank you .

[Mags 112]

no sister mags is was not

I think it depends on the particular reservation to be honest.

[almaty 19]

Note, I said " MAYBE " . I have been to enough, thank you .

sister, you one of the only people, i have met on-line who understands and is in the know regarding native americans and the culture..history and circumstances...

i was too harsh, regarding this topic, probably due to having friends... a kid there...... and seeing what happens throughout history..

Edited September 26, 2007 by almaty

[Nagishkaw 510]

Brother Dean,

I was just waiting for you to tell me ..... ' STFU, You N8tive Moccasin ! '

[Sister Fracas 5]

Brother Dean,

I was just waiting for you to tell me ..... ' STFU, You N8tive Moccasin ! '

LMAO! that was good!

[almaty 19]

Brother Dean,

I was just waiting for you to tell me ..... ' STFU, You N8tive Moccasin ! '

lol... i wanted to...but your my bff Indian friend ....

Brother Dean,

I was just waiting for you to tell me ..... ' STFU, You N8tive Moccasin ! '

LMAO! that was good!

i agree..and i am going to steal it from her and spring it on her.... later on