Youth Summit To Feature Skate Jam, Concert
The Fort Peck Youth Summit will feature a skate jam and a visit by N7 Fund founder Sam McCracken in Wolf Point on Thursday, June 16.
Prairie Bighorn-Blount, executive director of the American Indigenous Business Leaders, is very excited about the opportunities throughout the day.
The Skate Jam is scheduled from 1-3 p.m. at the Jeff Ament Skate Park. Activities will include a teepee raising contest and la crosse games. Beef Archambeault will serve as the emcee. There is no charge to attend.
A community conversation featuring McCracken will take place starting at 5 p.m. at Wolf Point High School. He will be presented an award from Chante, CNAY, AIBL, Rock Chalk and NSForward.
A member of the Sioux and Assiniboine tribes from the Ft. Peck Indian Reservation, McCracken began his Nike tenure in 1997 at Nike’s Wilsonville distribution center. He used his experience and passion to revitalize the Native American Employee Network. McCracken developed a business plan that targeted indigenous communities with the goal of improving health and wellness through physical activity.
He developed the Nike Air Native N7 shoe and the N7 retail collection. The N7 fund is now a part of the Until We All Win Portfolio. For more than a decade, the project has provided grants to organizations that serve the indigenous community. The fund has created accessed to sport, health and wellness, education and advocacy in these communities.
“He hasn’t been back here for the last 20 years,” Bighorn-Blount said of Mc-Cracken. “Sam is one of my mentors.”
She noted the Oswego native started his career as a night clerk at Nike and came up with the idea of offering Nike products at a discount to Native Americans.
The N7 fund is now a part of the Until We All Win Portfolio. For more than a decade, the project has provided grants to organizations that serve the indigenous community. The fund has created accessed to sport, health and wellness, education and advocacy in these communities. A total of $8 million has been given to get Native American youth excited about sports related activities.
“I want the kids to see he’s an ordinary guy who had a dream and didn’t give up,” Bighorn-Blount said.
The University of Montana president Seth Bodnar will offer an introduction during the community event at the high school.
Starting at 6 p.m., a community concert and fashion show are planned. The concert will feature music from the award winning Halluci Nation.
Taking part in the fashion show will be Cora Chandler and Choke Cherry Creek Designs.
