2009 – 2011
FOUNDATION REPORT
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The current generation of Native American and
Aboriginal children face challenges to their success and wellbeing that call for
immediate action. They experience the highest rate of poverty of any racial
or ethnic group in North America, and by nearly all measurable standards—
dropout rates, college attendance and completion rates, test scores, even
literacy rates—Native American and Aboriginal youth are well behind their
peers. Native communities also suffer disproportionately from the negative
effects of diabetes and obesity. What makes N7’s mission so urgent and essential
is that sport has been proven to combat obesity and provide a staggering list
of health benefits. Sport also helps young people develop discipline, focus and
the will to succeed. The child involved in N7 supported programs will learn
to work with a team, gaining skills that can be redirected to the benefit of
peers, families and communities.
OBESITY
RATES
DOWN
SUICIDE
RATES
DOWN
POVERTY
RATES
DOWN
HELP A COMMUNITY
CHANGE A KID’S LIFE
AND
7
GENERATIONS
THE N7 FUND is inspired and guided by the Native American wisdom
that in every deliberation we should consider the impact our decisions will
have on the seventh generation. Before the Nike N7 Collection, Nike’s Native
American Business program offered Native communities access to Nike products,
because Nike believed that participation in sports would not only steer Native
American and Aboriginal youth away from negative influences, but also do so
while improving their physical health and self-confidence. Today N7 works with
HIGH
SCHOOL
GRADUATION
RATES UP
TEST
SCORES
UP
EMPLOYMENT
RATES
UP
over 350 Health Promotion Disease Prevention Programs and over 175 Bureau of
Indian Education Schools. Our goal is not just to be responsible and innovative in
managing the N7 Fund, an accumulation of contributions from donors and sales
profits from the Air Native N7 and the Nike N7 Collection, but to generate further
funds and direct them to effective programming that will have positive impacts
on Native communities across North America. Leaving a footprint is inevitable.
Our responsibility lies in how our footprint will affect future generations. The
ultimate goal of The N7 Fund is to consider this footprint and to help Native
American and Aboriginal youth recognize that their proud history is a foundation
on which they can build a triumphant future.
3
YEARS
The past year has been a milestone year for N7. It was a year that brought over 300
individuals to the first ever N7 Sport Summit held at Nike World Headquarters. The
Sport Summit provided education on everything from leadership to grant writing
and connected so many great people from all over the US and Canada. Multiple N7
Dear Friends,
Clinics for our youth that included superstar athletes Jacoby Ellsbury and Kevin
We are pleased to present you with the first N7 Fund Annual Report. Our first edition
Durant were a success and seem destined to become yearly events.
is a culmination of many years of hard work by individuals and organizations big and
small. We strive to give you a holistic look at where we have been in the past 3 years.
Most recently we can note that the N7 Fund has raised more than $1.5 million for
From here on out we expect to present you with a yearly report highlighting new
Native American and Aboriginal youth sport and fitness programs. While this is an
programs as well as updates on long-standing partners.
amazing accomplishment we still strive to grow that number exponentially.
We strive to help each community in a bigger, better way. With more sports, more
Our goal has always been and will always be to provide access to sport for our
coaches, more fields – MORE KIDS.
Native youth to inspire and enable them to be a force for positive change for
generations to come. While we cannot assign a statistic to it, it is undeniable that
Finally, on behalf of our team I would like to thank you for supporting N7. With the
sport changes lives for the better. By awarding the N7 fund we empower these
support of people like you we have the ability to create ACCESS TO SPORT. Thank
special organizations to become the catalysts for success in their communities.
you for all of your help.
Sincerely,
S A M M c C R A C K E N
G E N E R A L M A N A G E R , N I K E N 7
C H A I R M A N , N 7 F U N D
2009 - Aboriginal Sport, Recreation and Physical Activity Partners Council Acoma Health & Wellness Department - Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa County Boys and Girls Club of Rosebud - Boys and Girls Club of Rosebud - Boys and Girls Club
of the Diné Nation - Boys and Girls Club of the Three Districts - Bringing Back the
Bow - Coeur d’Alene Tribal Youth Program - DDHS Diabetes Prevention Program Grand - Ronde Canoe Family - Haskell Upward Bound - Indigenous Games USA Inter Tribal Sports - John Hopkins Center for American Indian Health Native
Vision - Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians - Kanalu - Kansas - City Indian Center
- Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Recreation Division - Magic of Youth to Excel,
Educate and Empower - Makawalu Foundation - Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe
- Minneapolis American Indian Center - NABI Foundation - Native American
Youth and Family Center - Native Wellness Institute - Nideiltihi Native Elite
Runners - Notah Begay III Foundation - Rincon Indian Education Center -Six
Nations - Parks and Recreation department - Southwest Youth Services - Tule
River Indian Community of the Tule River Indian Reservation - Urban Native
Youth - Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society - Yellow Bird - 2011
ONE OF THE HALLMARKS OF SUCCESS is not just reaching your goals but exceeding
them, and with support from N7 the Native American Basketball Invitational Foundation
has done just that. NABI has expanded beyond hosting each year the largest all Native
American basketball tournament in North America, and now offers physical education programming to youth ages 8 to 13. The Foundation plans to continue emphasizing
sports, health, and education at its Native American Heritage Day celebration, Baseball
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and Softball Invitational, and annual Chasing the Sun 10K and Health Fair.
“NABI
“NABI is
is helping
helping me
me to
to learn
learn more
more about
about nutrition
nutrition
and
and the
the importance
importance of
of exercise.
exercise. My
My favorite
favorite activity
activity
is
is playing
playing basketball.
basketball. II love
love playing
playing basketball.”
basketball.”
Aleina Estada, Age 10, Ak-Chin Indian Community
NABI’s national tournaments have provided over 10,000 Native American youth the
opportunity to showcase their skills for college recruiters, bringing them out of the
shadows and into the spotlight. The Foundation has also created over 50 college athletic
scholarship opportunities, and to date has never turned down a funding request from
fellow Native American youth organizations. Launched in 2011, NABI’s Youth Physical
Education Program has already provided hundreds of Native American children safe and
productive afterschool activities and valuable lessons in nutrition. Through continually
expanding their quality programs, NABI is teaching a generation of Native American
youth to set their sights higher and make the most of their potential.
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BY SUPPORTING INTER TRIBAL SPORTS (ITS ), the N7 fund is contributing to a
true community effort. Whether for lack of money, inability to travel, or reluctance to
step outside of their peer group, Native American kids throughout Southern California
had low participation rates in youth sports leagues. ITS formed to extend the benefits
of sport to the region’s Native American communities. The program started 2003
with a flag football league, and soon included basketball and softball. ITS has since
added a soccer league and offers a variety of sports camps, leadership activities and
group outings. Some of these outings involve tours of college campuses that include
presentations promoting higher education, quality time with Native American student
groups, and culminate in a trip to a college basketball game.
1
“I
“I enjoyed
enjoyed my
my experience
experience playing
playing for
for I.T.S.
I.T.S. It
It was
was
beneficial
beneficial to
to learn
learn how
how to
to stay
stay active
active and
and work
work as
as
aa team
team player.
player. It’s
It’s good
good to
to see
see younger
younger kids
kids getting
getting
involved
involved so
so they
they can
can be
be active
active and
and live
live aa healthier
healthier
lifestyle
lifestyle through
through hard
hard work
work and
and dedication.”
dedication.”
Michael Rodriguez, 19, San Pasqual
ITS now serves over 1,000 Native American youth from 22 tribal communities yearly.
The program emphasizes teamwork, sportsmanship and learning life lessons through
sport, all while reinforcing the value of cultural sensitivity and Native American
traditions. Both winning and losing can build character, and ITS coaches and staff are
trained to model cooperation in overcoming adversity. But kids aren’t the only ones
who benefit from ITS leagues and activities. Native American Communities throughout
Southern California bond at ITS events, and in some cases relatives who have not seen
each other in years are reunited—a testament to sport’s unique ability to bring people
together.
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MARTINA SANDOVAL is a member of the San Felipe Pueblo Soccer Club, an
organization created by the Notah Begay III Foundation with support from the N7
Fund. This means Martina plays on one of the club’s 19 teams, receives coaching from
many of the 35 volunteer coaches, and plays with and against the 172 other girls and
boys who participate in the club. The soccer club is the only consistent after-school
programming for San Felipe youth, so Martina’s participation means she has a fun and
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constructive activity to head to after school. Seeing her skills improve gives her a sense
of accomplishment and a feeling of confidence in herself. A uniform gives her a sense of
pride and belonging, and her activity level keeps her in excellent health.
“Soccer
“Soccer impacted
impacted my
my life
life by
by giving
giving me
me the
the
opportunity
opportunity to
to travel
travel to
to many
many places.
places. II hope
hope other
other
kids
kids get
get the
the same
same opportunity.”
opportunity.”
Martina Sandoval, 15, San Felipe Pueblo
The Notah Begay Foundation promotes health, wellness and leadership development
of Native American youth by helping Tribal Nations design and sustain sports, wellness
and youth development programs. A child in the San Felipe Pueblo Soccer Club
experiences this commitment to her development not only through the existence of the
organization, however, but also directly beneath her feet. NB3 Foundation transformed
a weed-filled dirt field into a world class, regulation size, state of the art soccer field.
No more rocks, no more unlucky bounces—just a smooth field on which a child in San
Felipe can experience all the joys of the beautiful game while also receiving the health
benefits of exercise and the sense of well-being that comes from knowing she is part of a
caring and motivated community.
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THE N7 FUND MUST GROW TO AFFECT
MORE COMMUNITIES AND KID’S LIVES.
MORE SPORTS
MORE COACHES
MORE FIELDS
= MORE KIDS
N7 TODAY
N7 POTENTIAL
125,000 KIDS
2 MILLION KIDS
Since 2004, SYS has established and led year-round health initiatives by utilizing soccer
2009
N7 FUND PARTNERS
2011
YELLOW BIRD INC., FORT ROBINSON OUTBREAK SPIRITUAL RUN // 2009
The Fort Robinson Outbreak Spiritual Run, has been organized since 1996 by Phillip
as a venue for wellness and community outreach; such a unique approach has allowed
SYS to continually grow partnerships and programming. In its first years SYS lead introductory soccer clinics in 19 Native communities across New Mexico, reaching over
500 Native youth each summer. The success of soccer clinics and the inception of SYS’
Native American Soccer Project resulted in a need for an annual Tribal Youth Summit
focused on sports and youth leadership. In 2006, SYS initiated the Indigenous Soccer
Cup (ISC)- a National Native Youth Leadership Conference. Each year the Indigenous
Soccer Cup provides the means for Indigenous youth to come together and celebrate
health, community, education, and a passion for soccer. The ISC continues to be a peak
event for Native youth across New Mexico, as it offers a youth soccer tournament as
well as college preparatory, health & wellness, and youth leadership workshops. The ISC
promotes positive decision making, action, self-esteem, and goal setting among Native
youth, preparing them for a successful future.
With its key collaborative partners, like N7, SYS is able to provide the ISC, an environment in which to honor and acknowledge Native youth.
Whiteman Jr. It originally began as a 76 mile run around the reservation for the youth to
remember their ancestors. In 1999, the participants began running 400 miles from Fort
Robinson Nebraska to Busby Montana. Now the grass roots organization has grown to
become Yellow Bird, Inc. The N7 Fund donated $25,000 dollars to support the 400 mile
run.
NIDEILTIHI NATIVE ELITE RUNNERS, INC. (FLAGSTAFF, AZ) // 2011
Nideiltihi Native Elite Runners, Inc. is a volunteer-driven nonprofit organization formed
for charitable and educational purposes at the local & national level. NNER mission is
to foster Native American Indian distance runners, in Four Corner’s States , to represent
SOUTHWEST YOUTH SERVICES (ALBUQUERQUE, NM) // 2010, 2011
SYS is a non-profit organization that provides positive youth development programming
USA in national road and track competitions; encourages wellness, relevant life skills,
and supporting elite youth in post season national competition while integrating traditions, culture and Native language.
through education, health & wellness, and youth leadership components in partnership
with Native American communities and organizations. SYS utilizes a dynamic approach
ABORIGINAL SPORT, RECREATION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PARTNERS COUNCIL
to Native wellness that combines community service and capacity building initiatives,
(BC, CANADA) // 2011
impacting the lives of Native youth, young adults, and adults. Community service and
capacity building initiatives allow SYS the flexibility to provide programming support to
Native organizations as well as focus on direct service activities like building the NACA
Food Bank at the Native American Community Academy in Albuquerque, NM.
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The overarching mission of the Aboriginal Sport, Recreation and Physical Activity Partners Council is “to improve the overall health outcomes of Aboriginal people across
British Columbia by supporting and encouraging physically active communities and
expanding access to sports and recreation opportunities.”
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TULE RIVER INDIAN COMMUNITY OF THE TULE RIVER INDIAN RESERVATION
demic achievement among at-risk Native youth. With the support of the N7 Fund the
(PORTERVILLE, CALIFORNIA) // 2011
MAIC is able to host the Annual Golden Eagle Youth Olympics. The MAIC also provides
The Tule River Indian Community of the Tule River Indian Reservation takes pride in
the excellence of its youth sports program. Tule River athletic teams have performed
at ‘national and local championship’ levels in Little League Baseball, Girl’s Basketball,
other programs such as Challenge to Achieve, Parent sessions, SPARK activities, and
clothing assistance to help youth fulfill their potential.
and Youth Football throughout the years and been the source of pride among commu-
NATIVE WELLNESS INSTITUTE (GRESHAM, OR) // 2010, 2011
nity members. Perhaps more importantly, the participation and success of tribal youth
The Native Wellness Institute promotes the well being of Native people through pro-
in sports programs have made positive impacts in levels of delinquency behavior on the
grams and teachings that embrace the traditions and teachings of our ancestors. NWI’s
reservation. And equally important, tribal and community leaders take active roles in
Native Youth Leadership and Athletic Academy is a four day program where 125 Native
the guidance and sponsorship of all youth activities.
youth ages 12-18 learn about leadership, culture, self esteem, sportsmanship, and skill
development in basketball, football, contemporary dance, and soccer. The Academy
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF OTTAWA COUNTY (MIAMI, OK) // 2011
The Boys & Girls Club of Ottawa County promotes various sports every day. The youth
play flag football, basketball, base ball and other outside games. The Club also sponsor’s
the county’s youth basketball program for boys & girls.
MAKAWALU FOUNDATION (HONOLULU, HI) // 2011
The Makawalu Foundation encourages and supports activities that empower youth and
encourage families to celebrate the joy of a healthy and thriving lifestyle. Through traditional cultural practices such as Native Hawaiian dance, the foundation supports the
Master teachings Kumu Hula Alicia K. Keawekane Smith of Halau O Na Maolipua where
Native Hawaiian girls enter as young as 4 or 5 years of age, are educated and trained
in the rigors of cultural protocol and traditional wisdom through dance. The training
gives Native youth information, inspiration, motivation, and opportunities for growth
and development. They are taught to live by the “Warriors Spirit” which means to be
positive, productive, and proactive on and off the court/field.
BRINGING BACK THE BOW (SPRINGFIELD, OR) // 2010, 2011
Bringing Back the Bow is a weeklong bow camp that takes place in Eagle Butte, SD
every June. The program uses hands on bow building workshops to teach important
Lakota values. Once the bows are assembled the participants also make arrows and
practice shooting at targets. For advanced learners they practice shooting while riding
on horsebacks. The workshops are taught by Lakota elders and other volunteers.
VANCOUVER ABORIGINAL FRIENDSHIP CENTRE SOCIETY
in dance is a comprehensive teaching of not only movements and dances but also the
(VAFCS) (B.C., CANADA) // 2011
knowledge of all the plant forms used for the dance, the making of all their garments
Since 1963, the VAFCS has been meeting the needs of aboriginal people making a tran-
and adornment, traditional food preparation and healthy eating, as well as the cer-
sition to the urban community. The Friendship Centre, a charitable organization pro-
emonies that embody these traditional practices. The students follow long traditions of
vides programs in health and welfare, social services, human rights, culture, education,
multiple generational learning of hula under Kumu Hula Alicia K. Keawekane Smith and
recreation and equality for all genders of aboriginal people of all age groups. The Friend-
her elders.
ship Centre emphasizes the philosophies and values of aboriginal culture and tradition.
MINNEAPOLIS AMERICAN INDIAN CENTER (MINNEAPOLIS, MN) // 2010, 2011
KANALU (KANE’OHE, HAWAII) // 2011
The Minneapolis American Indian Center strengthens Native youth through their
Through traditional sports practices and carving workshops Kanalu is pursuing, perpetu-
Golden Eagle program. The program uses sport to increase health and encourage aca-
ating, reinstituting, and revitalizing the cultural traditions of our kupuna or ancestors.
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The educational philosophies that are founded on the extensive histories of our kupuna
who embraced the ocean as home continues to provide the foundation from which our
organization host monthly workshops training our children and community in the ancient arts of physical fitness through traditional sports such as surfing, holua sledding,
carving canoes, traditional weaponry, and preparing our youth through ocean skill developments for a place in the future. From our organizational base we are reaching out
through cultural exchanges to other native communities globally to assist them in their
efforts to establish programs that benefit their native community. We continue to hold
close our cultural knowledge of the ocean to develop skills from which our native youth
can learn to provide for their ‘ohana (family) spiritually and economically as trained and
educated native peoples of the 21st century.
MAGIC OF YOUTH TO EXCEL, EDUCATE AND EMPOWER (ALBERTA, CANADA) // 2011
The mission of the Magic of Youth to Excel, Educate and Empower is to keep children
fit and teach them healthy eating combined with fun fitness will allow them to maintain
their energy into something more positive. To encourage youth to excel in all sports,
education them to learn how to combat diabetes and other health related problems
before they’re affected.
SIX NATIONS PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT (ONTARIO, CANADA) // 2011
The mission of the Six Nations Parks and Recreation Department is to promote leisure
services to the community of the Six Nations of the Grand River, through positive activities, innovative resources, safe facilities and creative partnerships thereby enhancing the
quality of life at Six Nations.
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF THE DINÉ NATION (FORT DEFIANCE, AZ) // 2011
The Boys and Girls Club of the Diné Nation have programs that are designed to emphasize character and leadership development, education and career enhancement, health
and life skills, the arts, and sports, fitness, recreation and Diné culture. By establishing the Boys & Girls Club of the Diné Nation, Navajos are reaching out to their own
children, and will be able to teach them the Navajo way of life while giving them afterschool activities.
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF THE THREE DISTRICTS
(CROW CREEK RESERVATION, FORT THOMPSON, SD) // 2011
The mission of the Boys and Girls Club of the Three Districts is to inspire and enable all
young people to realize their full potential as caring, productive and responsible citizens.
We offer young people what they need and want most: adults who respect and listen to
them; a safe environment where they can have fun and be themselves; and interesting,
constructive activities that channel energy into challenging pursuits. A youth development strategy underlies all our programming and fosters a sense of belonging, competence, usefulness and influence, which builds self-confidence and self-esteem.
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF ROSEBUD (MISSION, SD) // 2011
The Boys and Girls Club of Rosebud is a member of The Boys and Girls Clubs of America and is on the Rosebud Reservation in south central South Dakota. The Club encourages the youth in healthy lifestyles by teaching them proper nutrition and exercise. With
the help of the N7 Fund the Club will be able to finish up the bowling program that we
are the midst of starting. The Club will use this bowling program to unleash the youth’s
SOUTHERN UTE COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAMS, INC.’S (IGNACIO, CO ) // 2011
potential by implementing programs that encourage family and healthy peer relations
and deterring them from drugs, alcohol, and gangs.
The mission of Southern Ute Community Action Programs, Inc.’s Project Venture implementation is to reduce drug and alcohol use among local youth (30% over 5 years) by
providing evidence-based programming (Project Venture) and through relationshipbuilding with local youth. The mission of the Southern Ute Boys and Girls Club is:
The Southern Ute Tribal Community builds better kids to become responsible citizens
through physical, mental and cultural opportunities.
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RINCON INDIAN EDUCATION CENTER (VALLEY CENTER, CA) // 2011
Rincon Indian Education Center serves Rincon, La Jolla and Pauma Indian Reservations. The past two years RIEC has collaborated with Indian Health Council in a 1K/3K
Fun Run during Traditional Fiesta Celebration. Over the last 3 years RIEC has supported
23
in taking students and their families to participant in walk/runs throughout San Diego,
activity.” The Fitness Center has organized sports and physical activities for youth such
such as Walk on the Wild Side, Shamu and You Family Walk, and Race for Literacy.
as basketball, football, volleyball, running camps, and soccer camps.
LEECH LAKE BAND OF OJIBWE RECREATION DIVISION (CASS LAKE, MN) // 2011
COEUR D’ALENE TRIBAL YOUTH PROGRAM (PLUMMER ID) // 2011
The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Recreation Division provides diversified opportunities
The Coeur d’ Alene Tribal Youth Program’s mission is to provide physical, emotional
for youth daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and throughout the year with sporting and
and mental support, grounded in the Tribal culture, to help our young people grow into
special events. Youth participate on a regular basis at least once per week. Partnerships
healthy adults. Our motto, “Many Cultures, One Community,” emphasizes embracing
with internal departments and external organizations like the Boys & Girls Club insure
and respecting the diverse cultures of our children, and striving to help build a sense of
youth activities are accessible and available.
well-being and belonging for each individual child.
KAIBAB BAND OF PAIUTE INDIANS (PIPE SPRINGS, ARIZONA) // 2011
The Coeur d’ Alene Tribal Youth Program is a year-round sports and culture program-
The Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians organize Youth basketball camp, Fitness Fridays,
Little League Baseball team(s,) and various physical activities, walking, running, jump
rope, dancing, weightlifting, volleyball. The Tribal CHR Department encourages and
schedules community walks, Cancer Walk for Life Relays, Rez-Robics, Realistic Weight
Loss Challenge Program (these contests are developed with age specific goals).
HASKELL UPWARD BOUND (LAWRENCE, KS) // 2011
Each year Haskell Upward Bound offers a dynamic program to engage students in educational and physical activities that will help develop their physical, emotional, social
and intellectual strength. The values students gain from participation in these activities help to build self-confidence, respect, responsibility, determination, and teamwork
which will help them achieve success later in life.
GRAND RONDE CANOE FAMILY (GRAND RONDE, OR) // 2011
Grand Ronde Canoe Family’s mission is to promote health and well being for youth and
families through the use of traditional canoe, and provide cultural based alcohol and
drug free events through a membership of canoe families that are dedicated to positive
youth mentorship and preserving cultural values for future generations.
ming, including league sports, such as Football, Cheerleading, Wrestling, Boys and Girls
Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Youth Co-ed Soccer, Swimming, Golf, Afterschool program, summer day camp, 3-on-3 basketball tournament, a Tribal Youth Council, and a
five-week summer youth day camp, Rock’n the Rez, that serves an average of 200 children between the ages of 5 and 14. These programs have become integral to the lives of
the families of the Coeur d’Alene Reservation.
ACOMA HEALTH & WELLNESS DEPARTMENT (ACOMA, NM) // 2011
The Acoma Health & Wellness Department consists of these programs; Diabetes, Fitness, CHR, and CHI. The mission of these programs is to provide quality outreach,
health care services, and health promotion/disease prevention services to the Pueblo of
Acoma, as well as, our neighboring communities.
URBAN NATIVE YOUTH AYF PROGRAM (BC, CANADA) // 2011
The Urban Native Youth AYF Program aims to engage Aboriginal youth in Vancouver’s
Eastside in diverse sports and recreation activities which support healthy lifestyles and
foster the development of positive social networks, while creating opportunities for leadership and skills development. Special emphasis is placed on encouraging youth (particularly girls) not currently involved in sports and recreation to become involved.
DDHS DIABETES PREVENTION PROGRAM (SAN CARLOS, AZ) // 2011
The DDHS Diabetes Prevention Program Fitness Center Supports any sport that “gets
all able bodied youth to be physically active and to increase their knowledge of physical
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BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF ROSEBUD (MANITOBA, CANADA) // 2011
The Boys and Girls Club of Rosebud is a member of The Boys and Girls Clubs of America and are on the Rosebud Reservation in south central South Dakota. The Club encourages the youth in healthy lifestyles by teaching them proper nutrition and exercise. The
Club will use this bowling program to unleash the youth’s potential by implementing
programs that encourage family and healthy peer relations and deterring them from
drugs, alcohol, and gangs.
The partnership of N7, the College Basketball Experience/Hall of Fame, and the Kansas
City Indian Center encourages making healthy choices and smart decisions to make a
brighter future in Indian Country. Only through the generosity of the N7 Fund are we
able to perform these athletic and educational opportunities for Native youth in and
around Kansas City.
INDIGENOUS GAMES USA INC. (MILWAUKEE, WI) // 2011
The organizational mission of Indigenous Games USA: “Making a positive difference
NATIVE AMERICAN YOUTH AND FAMILY CENTER (PORTLAND, OR)
The Native American Youth and Family Center works to enrich the lives of our Native
youth and families through education, community involvement, and culturally specific
programming. We have provided educational services, cultural arts programming, and
direct support to reduce poverty to the Portland metropolitan area’s American Indian
and Alaska Native community for over 30 years. Youth have the opportunity to work
for Native Young People’s healthy lifestyle choices thru sport development, sport competition and cultural experience and interaction by participating in the U.S. Indigenous
Games in 2011” This enriching experience will have a far reaching impact upon our
future generations.
JOHN HOPKINS CENTER FOR AMERICAN INDIAN HEALTH NATIVE VISION
one-on-one with an advocate who can provide academic, educational and wellness sup-
(BALTIMORE, MD) // 2010, 2011
port by utilizing holistic assessments and case plans based on the relational worldview
The mission of the John Hopkins Center for American Indian Health Native Vision After
model.
School Fitness and Life Skills Program is to empower American Indian youth between
the ages of 9 to 12 years to realize their full (physical, mental, emotional and spiritual)
MASHPEE WAMPANOAG TRIBE (MASHPEE, MA) // 2011
Over the last year, 42 tribal youth have participated in the martial arts classes funded by
the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe provided by the Martial Arts Falmouth Training Facility
in Falmouth, MA. Additionally, 62 Mashpee Wampanoag youth participate in the Tribe’s
Juvenile Justice Program, and fifteen 5–18 year olds of tribal youth have received Health
Services from the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe’s Health Center in the past year.
KANSAS CITY INDIAN CENTER (KANSAS CITY, MO) // 2011
The Kansas City Indian Center facilitates bringing Native youth athletes, elders, college
potential through promotion of physical fitness, healthy nutrition, and positive life skills.
The results from the spring 2010 evaluation of the Native Vision Program are encouraging. The improvements seen in physical activity and fitness may be early predictors of
reduced rates of obesity and diabetes as participating children age. Longer-term study,
a larger sample and a control group may be needed to track long-term impact of increased physical activity and fitness changes on Body Mass Index and other measures of
physiological health and emotional well-being. Further study is being planned through
the partnership between the Kewa Pueblo, White Mountain Apache Tribe and Johns
Hopkins Center for American Indian Health.
coaches, college recruiters, and former professional athletes together in the athletic
arena to mentor Native youth and help prepare them for continued success in the classroom and on the court and fields. We believe we create an environment where Native
youth can build self-esteem, confidence, and cultural pride while honing their athletic
skills.
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ERNEST L. STEVENS, JR.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Ernst is the Chairman and national spokesman for the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA). From 1993 to 1999, Stevens was an elected councilman for the Oneida
Nation. He is a former First Vice-President of the National Congress of American Indians. He is an enrolled member of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin.
SAM MCCRACKEN
STACEY THUNDER
Sam has been achieving outstanding results for Native Americans ever since joining
Nike in 1997. In July of 2004, he received Nike’s Bowerman Award, named after influential Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman by embodying his legacy of tireless motivation, innovation and inspiration. He also received accolades nationally and from the
Native American community.
Stacey is Ojibwe from the Red Lake and Lac Courte Oreilles Nations who has made
a career in law, business, and entertainment. She is an actress and the host and
co-producer of the hit PBS newsmagazine, “Native Report”, and is currently the
general counsel for the Red Lake Nation and her entertainment company, Eagle
Thunder Entertainment.
VICTORIA WRIGHT
CRYSTAL SHAWANDA
Victoria is a member of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head, Aquinnah is a Senior
Vice President at Merrill Lynch. She serves as the Strategic Marketing Manager for
the Western Division. Prior to joining Merrill Lynch, Victoria worked at the National
Congress of American Indians and the National Indian Gaming Association.
Crystal, a full blooded Ojibway from the Wikweikong Reservation of Canada, is a
country music artist. In 2010, Crystal released a new single, “Beautiful Day” as the
lead off to her second studio album.
JACKIE BLACKBIRD
Jackie is a member of the Gros-Ventre and Assiniboine tribes of the Fort Belknap
Indian Reservation of Montana. After one year of working with the Twins organization, Jackie was recruited to Nike World Headquarters. When the North American
Native Business expanded into Canada, Sam asked Jackie to take on a leadership
role by building the N7 Program for the Aboriginal people.
WILSON PIPESTEM
Wilson is the Managing Partner and co-founder of Ietan Consulting. Otoe-Missouria
and Osage, his professional career has been dedicated to advocacy on behalf of Native
Americans and tribes.
FRANK KING
JACK BURNS
Frank, as the founder and publisher of the Native Voice Newspaper, helps shine a
light on Native American issues. He is a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. The
Native Voice is one of just two weekly Native American publications in the United
States today.
A graduate of the University of New Hampshire, Jack has been at Nike for 22 years
serving in many capacities from Sales to Operations and everything in between. Ten
years ago when he first met Sam McCracken, he was one of many who helped develop
the Native American Business model from the ground up. His current role is as North
American Director of Sales Operations and Technology.
TEX HALL
ORSON PORTER
Tex, a nationally recognized Native American leader and spokesperson, is a twoterm past President of the National Congress of American Indians. A member of
the North Dakota Amateur Sports Hall of Fame, he’s also been the recipient of the
North Dakota Indian Educator of the Year Award. Tex founded and runs the InterTribal Economic Alliance.
Orson connected with N7 in his previous role with Nike as the Deputy Director of Government Affairs. Prior to that Orson served as a Special Assistant to President Clinton
as the White House Midwest Political Director. He advised the President on national
and local issues with particular emphasis on the midwest region of the country. Orson
is currently the Senior Vice President of Teneo Strategy in Washington, D.C.
From all of us at the N7 Fund we would
like to say a special thank you to everyone
who has had an impact on the N7 Fund! It
is your efforts to change the lives of youth
that allow them all to reach 100% of their
human potential. Keep up the great work!