Eric Hernandez & Shandien Larance Spin Nike N7
Native American hoop dance stars Eric Hernandez & Shandien Larance are spinning things up in a new spot for Nike N7. Wait, did you say Nike? Yep, but there’s more to the story than meets the eye.
Hooping.org readers probably already know Eric of CirqueLife & Shandien from their amazing performances with Cirque Du Soleil’s Totem. They’ve both been putting their own spin on traditional Native American hoop dance and dazzling hoopers and audiences in the process. And we all know Nike, right? So what’s the N7 all about?
Back in 2000 they had the idea to sell their products directly to Native American tribes to support health promotion and disease prevention programs. Seven years after Nike’s Native American division began, they collaborated with various community experts and tribal leaders to create footwear specifically for the Native American community, called Nike Air Native N7. The term N7 is inspired by the Native American wisdom of the Seven Generations: “In every deliberation we must consider the impact of our decisions on the seventh generation.” All proceeds from the Air Native N7, sold through Native American community centers and tribes, are given back to youth sport and physical activity programs in Native communities across North America through the N7 Fund.
Nike expanded the N7 product line back in 2009 to include a N7 collection available for purchase by anyone inspired by Native athletes and the N7 Fund. Nike says, “N7 is our commitment to bring sport and all of its benefits to Native American and Aboriginal communities in the United States and Canada. Through activity, competition and play you can unleash the power of your generation. You can grow up active and healthy. Sport gives you self-confidence, enabling you to be a force for positive change in your community. Nike N7 and the N7 Fund are aligned with Designed to Move, a growing community of public, private and civil sector organizations (including Nike) dedicated to ending the growing epidemic of physical inactivity.”
So to promote the cause Eric Hernandez & Shandien Larance were filmed spinning things up in Melbourne, Australia. Eric says, “It’s not often that my brother and I get to collaborate on a video project. Last year he flew out to visit me in Australia and we filmed this commercial for Nike with my hoop dance partner Shandien.” Produced by Culture Int and Directed by Sean Alexander, it was on the streets of Melbourne we see worlds collide. Taking traditional Native American hoop dance to the streets for a cause is what this Nike N7 promo spot is all about. Eric Hernandez & Shandien Larance are both currently living in Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan. The soundtrack for this piece is by Sean Alexander and you can get this and his other works on Soundcloud.
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