Photo courtesy of nypost.com
Sam McCracken and the Nike Air Native N7 shoe.

Native American businessman Sam McCracken shared his story of helping the native community through Nike Wednesday night.

McCracken educated eager business students on the Air Native N7, and afterwards they enjoyed a reception in Central Hall, with pot stickers, meats, cheeses and shrimp presented by the Hospitality Club.

Dennis Slattery, the "CEO" of the Hospitality Club, said he wants his students to have as much experience as they can. When the Native American Student Union invited McCracken, Slattery offered the Hospitality Club’s services.

"I think this was the single biggest event we’ve had to date this year on campus with business students," Slattery said.

"Just to have somebody of that stature, not only in the Native American world but in the business world, he is just a natural. It was a terrific event," Slattery said.

Chelsea Faris, the "general manager" of the club said they have been preparing for three months for the event.

"It’s really interesting because I have a Native American heritage background, so it’s nice to see somebody thinking of different backgrounds and ethnicities," Faris said.

McCracken opened his speech by sharing his inspiration: his mother. She died a few years ago of diabetes, which is the fourth leading cause of death among Native Americans.

"Everyone has those people in your life that meant something to you, that’s in our DNA," McCracken said.

McCracken hails from Montana and grew up in the Fort Peck Assiniboine/Sioux Reservation.

"What I did was have the ability to network and share my story," McCracken said.

McCracken, general manager of Nike’s Native American Business program, created the division himself. His mission was to bring inspiration and innovation to the Native American community by creating access. He created the Air Native N7, which is a shoe designed for the Native foot.

"All I wanted to do was a good job for my community," McCracken said.

Freshman business major Ryan Watson found it inspiring because he wants to be a part of the business world.

"I think he had a really great idea, and he just went with it and didn’t stop, and he succeeded," Watson said.

The lecture was a requirement for Business 100 and was also open to all students interested in Native American studies or business.

Aaron Gibbons, a sophomore business major, knew a little bit about the product but really learned more about it.

"It was a new product reaching out to a new demographic, and it’s a whole new set of events that happen and target the Native American population. It’s the first time a major corporation has targeted a small group like that," Gibbons said.

Slattery was satisfied with the overall outcome and received positive feedback directly afterwards from students.

"I thought the speech was really good. The speaker was really effective because he was very passionate about what he was talking about," Gibbons said.

McCracken ended with a Nike video and passed around the Air Native N7, leaving the audience with words of encouragement.

"Take a chance to tell your story; you never know who it might touch," McCracken said.