For the last six years Nike has honored Native Americans every November for Native American Heritage Month. In the past, this has included clothing, outerwear, and shoes for running and basketball, and this year is no different.
We have already shown you photos of the Jordan XXXI N7 but now we’ve got a look at the uniforms the teams involved will be wearing. All of the teams have a Native American background, whether it be their location, mascot, or extensive history of study in the field. The N7 jerseys include men’s and women’s — there are Native American women too — and are all in the baby blue with normal team logos and colors for trim.
No word yet on these jerseys coming to the public, but they should. If any group of people deserves to be celebrated, this is certainly one.
Below are the official words from Nike.
For 2016, Nike N7 is proud to partner with nine colleges (across men’s and women’s programs) to honor Native American Heritage Month.
During select men and women’s basketball games throughout November and December, Florida State, Gonzaga, Haskell Indian Nations University (the only all-native school in the country), Nevada, New Mexico, Marquette, Oklahoma State, San Diego State and Stanford will each wear N7-inspired turquoise uniforms. Turquoise represents harmony, friendship and fellowship in Native American culture.
Since the N7 turquoise uniform was first worn in 2010, participation in the program has grown organically — building from a single school to nine.
While all partner programs support Native American Heritage Month on the hardwood, each school also initiates its own outreach to local Native communities. This includes basketball camps at Gonzaga, Marquette and Nevada; a Native youth spring field day at Oklahoma State; and Seminole Tribe of Florida youth programs with Florida State.
San Diego State works with N7 Fund grantee Inter Tribal Sports to highlight its Native youth sports program, hosting an a basketball camp in the spring. Additionally, the New Mexico men’s and women’s teams auction their uniforms and donation proceeds to local Native American youth organizations.
The uniforms also complement the Nike N7 Spirit of Protection Collection, encouraging resilience against adversity and inspiring youth to “Dare to Rise” against obstacles. NCAA teams in N7 turquoise uniforms this month will have the option of wearing the collection’s N7 2016 Hyperdunk. Marquette will wear the N7 Jordan 31.
