The latest Nike N7 Collection embodies a deep respect for Native culture and a commitment to preserving Native traditions for future generations. At the heart of this season’s release is a collaboration with Chelysa “Chief” Owens-Cyr, a young Indigenous artist who blends elements of nature and modernity in her contemporary designs. Chief, a member of the Fort Peck Tribes of Montana and the Pasqua First Nations in Saskatchewan, is inspired by traditional beadwork and ledger art – a Native narrative art form that uses ledger paper as a canvas.
Her artistic influences are evident in the men’s Club Fleece, Drift long-sleeve tee, DNA shorts and women’s Essential Mock long-sleeve top. These pieces reflect their home, culture, tribes and community, infusing modern apparel with rich indigenous symbolism. The Club Fleece and Essential Mock top feature a mirrored geometric design that represents the Lakota belief that what exists on earth is reflected in the afterlife. Triangles in the center symbolize the four seasons, the directions, and the balance of emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. The horizontal extensions represent the eagle, a significant figure in Native culture.
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“I want Native youth to feel represented, strengthened, and empowered by this collection,” says Chief. “It’s a good representation of my people to be able to share my culture and voice with not only Indigenous communities but the whole world. The Lakota term I’d connect with it is ‘Mitakuye Oyasin,’ which means all my relations—we are all connected, we are one.“
The collection also introduces exclusive colorways of the KD17 basketball shoe and the Nike Dunk Low. The KD17, NBA icon Kevin Durant’s fourth N7 model, features a turquoise colorway designed specifically for the collection. It features an embroidered N7 logo on the tongue and a Lakota/Dakota geometric pattern on the heel, representing themes of ancestry, strength and culture. The Dunk Low reflects the turquoise colorway and includes a nod to the N7 initiative on the tongue.
Basketball player Alissa Pili spearheads this season’s N7 campaign, reflecting Nike’s commitment to uplifting Native athletes and ensuring the next generation of Native youth see themselves represented. Her involvement underscores the collection’s focus on empowerment and self-expression.
The release of the Nike N7 Collection coincides with Native American Heritage Month and the opening of grant applications for Nike’s N7 Fund. Beginning in 2022, Nike will invest $625,000 annually in N7 Fund grants, administered by CAF America, to support nonprofit organizations that empower youth through sports. This commitment builds on more than a decade of support, with more than $12.1 million awarded to more than 300 organizations since 2009.
Nonprofits can apply for N7 Fund grants through January 6, 2025. This season’s Nike N7 Collection is now available worldwide at nike.com and select retail locations, providing an opportunity to support indigenous communities and celebrate the rich heritage they contribute to the broader culture.
