(no subject)

[blue_lotus13]

I am highly intrigued by these running shoes, developed specifically for First Nations people living in the United States. These shoes, which accomodate for the wider feet of First Nations people are called The Air Native . Funds from the shoes will be distributed to tribal lands, to fund health and wellness programs.

While I'm in support of the redistribution of funds, I'm somewhat skeptical about the idea of assuming that all First Nations people have similar feet. What also annoys me is the "heritage designs which include feathers, stars and skyscape scenes on the shoe.

I just find the whole thing very strange.

Comments

[elizawrites.livejournal.com]

I heard about these on NPR one day. They only measured the feet of around 200 people, I think.

The guy who spearheaded the design is Native American himself. His goal is to get Native Americans up and moving around more, since his mother died of diabetes. Also, the shoes will likely be given away for free.

[star-blue.livejournal.com]

they're from Nike. maybe they should design some shoes for the feet of the kids that will be sewing them in Indonesia or wherever.

[arwenoid.livejournal.com]

Hmm. I have particularly wide feet. Perhaps I am native?

But I don't want shoes with feathers on them. Eesh.

[zooby.livejournal.com]

Amy Pohler did a joke about this on Weekend Update.

"Nike has designed a shoe called the Air Native specifically for the feet of Native Americans. The shoes will have native themes and the funds raised from their sale will be redistributed back to tribal bands. So, Native Americans, we cool now?"

[eclexys.livejournal.com]

Very weird. Wouldn't be surprised if it pissed off some Native Americans. Michelle (remember her?) works with that FSIN college and was complaining about how people always want to put "feathers and shit" on anything made discussing native issues.

The link seems broken, by the way.