Marketing and all things related

Totally agree. What a left-field effort, and I contend it'll erode their brand considerably given how far off strategy their approach has been.

Sort of feels like the equivalent of Wal-Mart trying to be about quality products. And while I, too, commend their intent to help Native Americans - this strikes me as just plain gratuitous corporate blather.

I called Nike to ask where these can be aquired and 2 different reps just pawned some website on me and said you can find locations there?
So if I want these shoes "I" have to do the leg work ?
http://rtc.ruralinstitute.umt.edu/index.htm
Typical marketing idiocy by putting something out and not having all the info available to their own reps.

I was wondering if this air native was just for the states or can canadian natives also reap the benifit of having these shoes?

Unfortunately there are quite a lot of us who ARE of Native American ancestry but who's ancestors either neglected or refused to register with the BIA and Tribal Councils. That leaves those of us out in the cold concerning things such as this that are ONLY available through the Tribal Councils. If Nike REALLY wanted to make a point they would not only make the product available to the Tribal Councils for their purposes but to the general public for purchase.

I have also tried numerous times to contact Nike regarding their new shoe and the distribution of it. Although, to put my opinion out there: Nike is not allowing only Tribal Councils access to this shoes, in fact Tribal Councils have no participation what so ever in this process. They are being sold only to Tribal Wellness Centers, and from there the Tribal Wellness Centers (which are only present on reservations) will then hand out the shoes at their own disclosure to community members. This is quite tricky for non-enrolled Native Americans but also, I would argue, what isn't. Non-enrolled people who attempt to claim Native American status are going to run into problems in numerous situations in their lives where Native American "pedigree" is required. Basically, this product though as I see it, wants to target not ony Native American peoples, but the Native American communities that have such high rates of diabetes and are in general have entire communities that are in very poor physical/cardio vascular health. Reservations are not only made up of different people who are unhealthy but they are communities that are plagued with obesity and unhealthy lifestyles. Also, I can see justified reasoning for targeting reservations because the poverty rate on reservations is double that of the rest of the nation. If any place in the country should be allowed discounted athletic shoes I believe that Native American communities are the best fit for this kind of effort. Stil, I believe that there are more and better ways in order to get these shoes to the targeted population. I live on a reservation so I believe that I have these ideas that Nike could not have thought of themselves. It's just really frustrating that Nike is not allowing people the ability to try to make this process work better.

As someone with some native american ancestry, and feet that match the demographics for the shoes exactly I am very dissapointed about this.

I would love to buy a pair or more of the Nike N7's but it is not possible for me. Nike is really missing out on an opportunity. They could so easily sell this shoe on the open market and use a portion of the sales price (fixed amount or percentage) to provide even more shoes to the Tribal Wellness centers, or better yet, fund some of the center's work.

What about people like me???? The American mix - part Indian (Native American) and part Yugoslavian???? or part anything else???? My feet being, of course, Indian (Native American). Don't people like me count? Don't we deserve a comfortable, well fitting shoe? If Nike can make the N7 why not make the N7 and a half for those of us who are not full blooded ?

I feel frustrated. Frustrated for myself, my relatives and friends who are not registered with one tribe and have not lived on a reservation. And frustration for those of us suffering the same problems and diseases off the reservation. Come on Nike, help ALL the first nations' people. We were pretty excited about the announcement the shoe was developed specifically for Natives...The Nike 7 1/2 is a pretty good idea.

Well, I think the shoe and ideal are good. I live off the rez and I do not have access to the shoe either. I am fullblooded, or pure 'pedigree' for some of you. It is a benefit by a company to a group of people, but so is driving a fine car, and living in a fine home. I don't have that either. I'm not crying about it. Next time you think of this shoe, why don't you go and live on the rez to get it. Take that step first then make some complaints. Find a way for you to help, not complain.

I hate to see all the sniping and griping about this. The man behind the Air Native N7 is a well respected Native American who is employed at Nike.

You can read some of the story at http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2007/12/14/jodirave/rave21.txt or just go to http://www.missoulian.com then click on News, then click on Native News.

if you are in portland, oregon, nara indian health and wellness center carries the shoe....this isnt on the "rez"....most larger cities have a native american clinic.....and all of them either carry or can order the shoe. or for those of you claiming N8ive....why dont you just contact a relative on the rez to put in an order for you? man....everyone wants to be N8ive!

them either carry or can order the shoe. or for those of you claiming N8ive....why dont you just contact a relative on the rez to put in an order for you? man....everyone wants to be N8ive!