By Stacy Thacker, University of Montana

Across Indian Country there is a big push to get kids active and keep them active. As technology advances, the population seems to get lazier.

Nike is taking on the challenge of inactivity on reservations and with its "N7" line. This program, which kicked off its first Native health Sports Summit this morning, is aimed directly at getting Natives active and particularly the focus is on providing role models for early generations, which can, in turn, become role models themselves for generations after them.

I've only recently become familiar with N7 but I am impressed at its efforts and its professional athlete ambassadors. I'm particularly impressed with Jacoby Ellsbury but, well, his handsomeness is another story. Before I thought N7 was only an awesome shoe designed for Native Americans and I totally wanted one.

Although I still don't own a pair I am more aware of N7 and their outreach for sports and activities in Native communities. A recent donation of a basketball court on the La Jolla Reservation in California, funds to help provide scholarships to the Native American Basketball Invitational foundation and many others are a programs that are making great strides in meeting the N7 mission.

N7 isn't the only program working toward increasing physical activity in Indian Country. There are others like the "Just Move It" campaign on the Navajo Nation, that give out cool shirts and incentives to get the crowds coming out to regular community walks and runs.

Being seemingly lazy, myself, the N7 foundation has sparked my interest in getting moving and shaking. I only wish I could complete the experience with those snazzy N7 shoes!

Stacy Thacker (Navajo) is from Navajo, N.M.