Seven Generations: A Look at the History of the Nike N7 Lineage

At times we tend to fixate entirely too much on the present. While that previous assertion seems to be a bit oxymoronic, the thing is that it is always important to understand your roots. With history always repeating itself in many ways, the idea of celebrating your past and those figures that helped shape your future is imperative. Over the years, several corporations have routinely shown their appreciation towards the past, and arguably none bigger than Nike. With their Black History Month makeups and N7-themed models, the Swoosh certainly celebrates history.

So, with the latest Nike N7 iteration hitting retail shelves today in the form of the Air Jordan 7 N7 and other silhouettes, we saw it fit to debrief you on the history of the Nike N7 lineage and further celebrate the Native American community.

To see more, scroll through the page below to get a detailed account of the commemorative initiative.

Dating all the way back to the year 2000, Sam McCracken developed the initiative to sell Nike products exclusively to Native American tribes in order to boost their growth and development, specifically through donations aimed at health promotion and disease prevention programs. According to the N7 Fund’s official site, the “N7” name derives from the Native American wisdom of Seven Generations that states: “we must consider the impact of our decisions on the seventh generation”.

Serendipitously, seven years later the N7 lineage would begin.

By 2007, the first Nike N7 model would release in the silhouette of the Nike Air Native N7. This model would be constructed specially to fit the needs of individuals of Native American descent as the fit would be constructed to accommodate the width and foot shape of the aforementioned culture. All proceeds from this initial retail release would go towards N7 Fund.

Two years later in 2009, Nike would unveil two additional silhouettes, one being able to grace the hardwood in the form of the Nike Air Huarache N7 and a lifestyle/running model of the Nike N7 Air Pegasus+26. The next year, in 2010, four different models would be available and all proceeds would go towards the N7 foundation.

However, arguably the most notable namesake and signature models within the Nike N7 lineage involve the Kevin Durant signature line. With Kevin Durant being a vital member of the Oklahoma City community and being a premier star within the NBA, it only made sense for Nike to push this notable player to the forefront. Beginning in 2012 with the Nike KD IV, the N7 model of the aforementioned silhouette would employ two different color ways with one involving a mostly white upper and the other employing a black makeup. Both models would be seen with vibrant accents throughout and detailed imagery along the upper.

The very next Kevin Durant signature model would take on the N7 makeup as well, as the Nike KD V featured a tonal makeup throughout the upper fusing distinct shades of green. In addition, detailed imagery can be seen as the aforementioned qualities rested atop of a black and yellow outsole. Kevin Durant would sport this model during a matchup against the Golden State Warriors back during the 2012-2013 campaign.

By late 2013, the Nike KD 6 would incorporate the N7 treatment as well and then in 2014 the lineage would continue with the Nike KD 7. Although Kevin Durant would hit tumultuous times with his foot injury derailing his 2014-2015 season – he still continues to ascend on a proverbial “high-note” as his Nike KD 6 silhouette would be a part of his MVP season, averaging over 30 points per game.

As time has progressed, the Nike N7 lineage has accompanied over 20 different silhouettes and variations ranging from the Nike Air Force One High to the Air Jordan 7,  which will ultimately grace retail shelves today. As time goes on, it’s only certain that Nike will continue to produce stellar models and apparel to help commemorate the Native American lineage and help forward their progression even more. As an abundance of Native American players grace the landscape of sports such as Jacoby Ellsbury, the N7 fund will have some prominent faces to lead their initiative heading into a new generation.

Related: History of the Nike N7 Collection