Nike N7 Awards Funding to Local Tribal Communities

Emma Hughes

Gila River Indian News

Nike N7, in partnership with Nike Social Community Impact, announced special funding towards coaching and athletic development in the Gila River Indian Community, Ak-Chin Indian Community, and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.

On July 19, a special event was held at the Nike Unite Marketplace in Tempe, where tribal leaders: Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis, Ak-Chin Chairman Robert Miguel, and SRPMIC President Martin Harvier joined Sam McCracken (Sioux and Assiniboine), founder of Nike N7 for the announcement.

“On behalf of the Gila River Indian Community, we really appreciate this next step that we’re taking and it’s about mentors,” said Gov. Lewis. “With these resources, we’re now able to train [and] to support this generation of coaches in our communities, this is a game changer; it uplifts our communities and our youth as well.”

Miguel and Harvier also thanked N7 for the opportunity and acknowledge their mission.

“All of our communities host events through N7,” said Harvier. “I think the important part now is the opportunity to get individuals that have knowledge on that sport to teach youth different ways of playing the sport to make it better.”

50 youth from the Boys & Girls Club of the Gila River Indian Community and other tribal youth were invited, including special guest N7 representative and WNBA player for the Minnesota Lynx, Alissa Pili (Samoan and Inupiaq). Youth had an opportunity to hear from Pili and her journey followed by a photo op.