Nike designs shoe for American Indians

By SARAH SKIDMORE, Associated Press Writer
Tue Sep 25, 2007



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.

___

Associated Press writer William McCall contributed to this report from Portland, Ore.

Cool article man but when they gonna provide us white folks with a shoe specificly designed for us to help us lose wight. i mean we do have a huge obesity problem.

quote:

Originally posted by thomasstroman:
Cool article man but when they gonna provide us white folks with a shoe specificly designed for us to help us lose wight. i mean we do have a huge obesity problem.

Most shoes and clothing are created with the average shaped and sized white person in mind.

quote:

Originally posted by hulaw94:

quote:

Originally posted by thomasstroman:
Cool article man but when they gonna provide us white folks with a shoe specificly designed for us to help us lose wight. i mean we do have a huge obesity problem.

Most shoes and clothing are created with the average shaped and sized white person in mind.

If this guy is white then its amazing how he could be ingnorant of such a basic fact. But then again, how do you teach fish about water?

quote:

Originally posted by thomasstroman:

... us white folks...

quote:

Originally posted by tonystark:

quote:

Originally posted by hulaw94:

quote:

Originally posted by thomasstroman:
Cool article man but when they gonna provide us white folks with a shoe specificly designed for us to help us lose wight. i mean we do have a huge obesity problem.

Most shoes and clothing are created with the average shaped and sized white person in mind.

If this guy is white then its amazing how he could be ingnorant of such a basic fact. But then again, how do you teach fish about water?

The same way you teach a person about how blessed they are in spite of their constant complaining about what they ain' got...

Yep i am a white male but find it funny that people think most products are made for White people.

quote:

Originally posted by thomasstroman:
Yep i am a white male but find it funny that people think most products are made for White people.

Believe it not Thomas, they are. At least in marketing them. The better half and I were watching a commercial this morning, and I remarked that I didn't see not one African American in it. If you want me to buy your product, then include me in your marketing. In other words- act like you want my money. Just don't assume that I'll buy it just because it there/available.

As for "products are made for White people", there WAS a time when we had to buy jeans/slacks a size or 2 bigger just to fit other our asses.

I can understand that man. I guess I'm not in those commercials and my family and friends aren't so I may miss the fact that they are filled with White's. If so I will pay more attention. We have made great strides in the US in closing diversity among people and this might be a set back when they are said to be for Native americans.

quote:

Originally posted by thomasstroman:
I can understand that man. I guess I'm not in those commercials and my family and friends aren't so I may miss the fact that they are filled with White's. If so I will pay more attention. We have made great strides in the US in closing diversity among people and this might be a set back when they are said to be for Native americans.

Why a setback?

Their body is physically different. Should they have to continue to squeeze their feet into sneakers that don't fit?

Point taken.