Native students from Federal Way attend Nike N7 Summit

Published 12:35 pm Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Thomas Jefferson High School students Colin and Madison Malnory recently attended the first Nike N7 Student Summit at Nike world headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon.

Offered in collaboration with the Native Wellness Institute, N7 presented the first opportunity for Native American and Aboriginal youth leaders, ages 14-18, to attend the N7 Sport Summit as part of the newly created youth session.

The students participated in activities to enhance their leadership qualities, particularly those relevant to the Native community, sports and physical activity.

The sessions included hands-on experiences that embody the institute’s model of taking a holistic approach to empower youth to be a positive influence for change.

The students also met Olympic gold medalist Billy Mills (Oglala Lakota), toured the Nike campus, worked with Nike trainers and N7 Native Sport Ambassadors.

Madison Malnory also won the performance art piece by Native artist, Bunky Echohawk. Echohawk also designed a N7 shoe for Nike.

Nike N7, one of the premier initiatives throughout North America, encourages native and aboriginal youth to be physically active. Since its inception in 2000, the N7 Fund has generated millions to help native and aboriginal nonprofit groups provide access to sport for young people.

The sold-out conference has attracted approximately 400 grassroots youth recreation leaders, including nonprofit representatives, wellness coordinators, coaches and Native athletes going by the title of Nike N7 Ambassadors. Prominent names include Notah Begah III, a Professional Golf Association tour pro who founded the Notah Begay III Foundation.

For more information, visit n7fund.com/about.