Nike's new running shoe...for Native Americans

Not sure if you've heard about Nike's brand new Air Native N7 - it's a running shoe being distributed solely to American Indians.

Why would one ethnic gorup require a specific gym show, you might be asking? Well, according to research conducted by Nike, Native Americans have larger feet and a "distinct" foot shape, both of which the Air Native N7 are designed to accomodate. It also has a culturally-appealing look.

Now, at first, I'll admit - I was slightly taken aback when I read about this. There would be outrage if a shoe were designed for white runners only, or black athletes, no? But as I investigated, it seems Nike has truly good intentions at heart: The special shoe is an effort to promote physical fitness in an ethnic population known for having skyrocketing obesity and diabesity rates. Tribal wellness programs and tribal schools across the U.S. will be able to purchase the shoe at wholesale price and then pass them along to individuals, often for free.

So essentially this is a public health effort on the part of Nike - encouraging fitness and activity in an overweight population by providing them with specifically-tailored gear for little or no cost. It's quite brilliant, actually.

I should also point out the last year, a Bahraini woman, Ruqaya Al-Ghasara, won a gold medal in a 200 meters sprint race in the 15th Asian Games - wearing a Muslim head scarf emblazoned with a Nike swoosh.

In a Nike press release, Sam McCracken, Manager of Nike’s Native American Business program said, “Nike is aware of the growing health issues facing Native Americans. Through the Nike Air Native N7 we are stepping up our commitment to use our voice on a local, regional and national level to elevate the issue of Native American health and wellness. We believe physical activity can and should be a fundamental part of the health and wellness of all Native Americans.”

I have to say, overall...I'm for it. Promoting physical fitness is crucial and offering it at a discounted price to people who need it most can hopefully help them get on track.

Thoughts?

Oh, in case you were wondering what makes the shoes specifically appealing to Native Americans:

*The design features several "heritage callouts," including sunrise-to-sunset-to-sunrise patterns.

* Images of feathers dot the shoes' insides and stars on the sole represent the night sky.

*The N7 name is a reference to something called the 7th generation theory, used by some tribes to look to the three generations preceding them for wisdom and the three generations ahead for their legacy.

*Also, all profits from the sale of the N7 will be reinvested in health programs for tribal lands, where obesity, diabetes and related conditions are nearing epidemic proportions.

Comments

I'm all for making a special shoe for people that generally have different shaped feet but c'mon...feathers and sunrise/sunset colors? That seems a tiny bit ignorant to me. Does the shoe come with a free stone arrowhead too? Why not just make their regular shoes in different sizes/shapes made specifically for anyone with different size/shape feet?

I'm not saying they didn't have noble intentions but some of it just seems silly and degrading to me. I know Native Americans have the highest rate of suicide and many are either obese or mentally ill so giving some of the proceeds to a charity to aid them is awesome.

Okay, I'm going to be honest... I am a plus-size girl. I wear a 3x or 22W/24W shirt, dress, jacket, pant, you name it. So I'm sorry if this is going to raise some ire, but I'm a bit offended. Nike can design shoes in "an effort to promote physical fitness in an ethnic population known for having skyrocketing obesity and diabesity rates" but they can't design cute athletic clothes for plus-size women? And yes, I know that Danskin and Champion both have plus-size lines available. I guess it's just the point. Although I have to applaud Nike for its philanthropy.

Good idea in theory, but I agree with Annie that the Native American touches seem to be based on stereotypes.

I'm Native American & I have to tell Nike that what they did is pretty cool. I have 3 kids who are distance runners--one is doing a marathon next week--& trying to find running shoes that fit well is a BIG problem. Stereotype? We're just glad to know that we can get comfortable shoes. Now if we could get jeans that fit.

It's just another way to make money off the native people, not to mention the under-aged under privileged children who make the shoes and barely have food to get by on for one day.

I don't like that you can't get them unless you are Native American? What about others who have foot problems that need a large toe box? They should be able to get them as well - no matter if they are native american or not. Does anyone know how to get these if you aren't native american? My Mother has hammer toes and needs a big shoe box. Can she get them anywhere? Maybe at a casino's gift shop like at the Soaring Eagle in Mount Pleasant, MI, USA? Does anyone know?

If nike continues to come out with innovative ideas involving technology it will truly burry its competitors like adidas.

i would like to see some nike shoes made by japanese, isn't cool?

Running!! Woow! I have branded shoes..

Thanks Nike for the new running shoes solely to American Indians.