Nike Celebrates Indigenous Culture and Design in New Basketball-Inspired N7 Collection

Nike’s latest N7 collection brings together stories of Indigenous tradition, strength and joy through a capsule of basketball-inspired footwear and apparel.

Designed with Kiowa and Choctaw artist Steven Paul Judd, the collection celebrates the strength, joy and living traditions of Indigenous culture, bridging deep cultural heritage and modern athletic expression.

“I created this Nike N7 collection to celebrate the beauty and meaning of Indigenous designs, translating them into Nike footwear and apparel that’s recognizably Native from the jump,” says Judd. “I was very intentional in every design choice, with each detail holding a deeper purpose and reflection of our communities.”

That intentionality comes through in the collection’s materials, colors and graphics. There are nods to handmade footwear, as well as material references such as suede and chenille. The palette moves between warm neutrals, sunbaked golds, timeless reds and horizon blues, reflecting natural dyes and the shifting colors of an Oklahoma sky at dusk.

Each piece in the collection explores how Indigenous design philosophies have evolved through modern footwear and apparel, creating designs that can be appreciated immediately while also containing deeper cultural references.

The Nike G.T. Cut 4 N7 brings that layered storytelling to the basketball court, featuring a spiral motif drawn from Choctaw visual culture and a striking “Still Here” patch. On the court, the message expresses competitive persistence and resolve. Beyond the game, it speaks to the perseverance of Indigenous people and the continued celebration of their cultures.

The Nike Air Force 1 ’07 LV8 N7 brings forward similar motifs, merging contemporary Indigenous design with a classic Nike Sportswear look. Both footwear silhouettes pair seamlessly with the suite of apparel styles.

Throughout the collection, the smiley face has been transformed to feature arrow and arrowhead forms that acknowledge history and tradition while celebrating the humor that remains central to many Native communities.

“Sometimes people think Native art is always supposed to be serious and historical,” says Judd. “One of the things I love most about Native communities is our sense of humor. We laugh a lot, we tease each other. Humor has helped Native communities endure some incredibly difficult chapters in history. The smiley face in this collection serves as a reminder that our culture carries both immense strength and joy.”

The accompanying campaign extends the collection’s celebration of Indigenous basketball, featuring three Native athletes helping shape the future of the game: Nike athlete Alissa Pili, who is Iñupiaq and Samoan; Nike Blue Ribbon Elite athlete Sydney Benally, who is Navajo; and Keonte Greybear, who is from the Standing Rock Sioux Nation.

“When a young Indigenous athlete sees this campaign and collection, I hope they take away the message that where we come from — like me, growing up on a reservation with limited resources — doesn’t limit our success,” says Benally. “It’s up to us to put in the work, step outside our comfort zones and become comfortable with being uncomfortable. Growth happens when you challenge yourself and step outside of what you’re used to. I want young Native athletes to understand that their background doesn’t define their limits but instead gives them a foundation to build from.”

The release of the collection coincides with Native American Heritage Month and the opening of applications for the N7 Fund. Through the fund, Nike invests in nonprofit organizations serving Indigenous communities across North America and helping create the future of youth sport.

Since 2022, Nike has invested $625,000 annually through the N7 Fund, administered by CAF America. Together, the N7 Fund and other Nike grants have provided $15.2 million to 324 organizations supporting Indigenous communities since 2009.

Nonprofit organizations can apply for a 2027 N7 Fund grant beginning November 1.

Nike’s new N7 collection will be available globally November 7 at nike.com and select retail locations.