a black and white living room with a large tv
a black and white living room with a large tv
a black and white living room with a large tv

New Movement Same Commitment

The Sam McCracken Youth Project brings together culture, sport, and community leadership to help Native youth thrive.

Investing in the next generation has always been the work

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Invested in Native youth programs

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Native youth reached

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Tribal communities supported

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Years advancing native youth opportunity

Why Sam started SMCYP

For more than three decades, Sam McCracken has worked to create opportunity for Native youth through sport, culture, and community. As a member of the Fort Peck Sioux and Assiniboine Tribes, Sam has long believed that the strength of Native communities lies in the next generation and that investing in youth is one of the most powerful ways to shape the future.

Through his work founding Nike N7, Sam helped expand access to sport and opportunity for Indigenous youth across North America. But as he continued working alongside Tribal communities, youth leaders, and educators, he recognized that the challenges facing Native youth - particularly around mental health and wellbeing - required a deeper, more holistic response.

The Sam McCracken Youth Project was created to meet that moment. Building on 28 years of relationships and leadership and Nike, SMCYP brings together sport, culture, mentorship, and community leadership to support Native youth in mind, body, and spirit, and to help the next generation thrive.

Sam McCracken

Founder, Sam McCracken Youth Project | Founder of Nike N7 | Fort Peck Sioux & Assiniboine Tribes

Sam McCracken is a member of the Fort Peck Sioux and Assiniboine Tribes and a lifelong advocate for Native youth leadership, wellness, and opportunity. He is the founder of the Sam McCracken Youth Project and the visionary behind Nike N7, the groundbreaking initiative he created during his nearly three decades at Nike to increase access to sport and opportunity for Native American and Indigenous youth across North America. As the founder and longtime General Manager of Nike N7, Sam helped build one of the most impactful Native-focused initiatives in global sport.

Under his leadership, the N7 Fund has awarded more than $13 million in grants to Tribal and Native-serving organizations, supporting programs that have reached more than 500,000 youth. Sam also led the development of the Nike Air Native N7 shoe and the broader N7 product line, using sport, storytelling, and partnerships to elevate Native communities and expand opportunity. His work has earned numerous honors including Nike’s Bowerman Award, the Freedom Foundation’s George Washington Medal of Honor, the Schwab Foundation’s Social Intrapreneur of the Year recognition, and induction into the Montana Indian Athletic Hall of Fame.

Today, Sam continues his lifelong commitment to Native youth through the Sam McCracken Youth Project to advance physical, mental, and cultural wellness for the next generation.

Champions for Native youth

Champion Native youth through holistic mental, physical, and cultural wellness rooted in Indigenous values, community leadership, and belonging.

four men
four men
group of women in red and white dress standing on brown wooden bar during daytime
group of women in red and white dress standing on brown wooden bar during daytime

Native youth thriving

Opportunity &
Equality for All

Native youth thriving in mind, body, and spirit—leading healthy, hopeful futures for their communities.

Native youth thriving in mind, body, and spirit - leading healthy, hopeful futures for their communities.

Three pillars of wellness

Mental wellness

SMCYP believes that Native youth wellbeing must be rooted in culture, community, and positive identity. Through partnerships with health professionals, educators, and community leaders, SMCYP develops culturally informed, data-driven programs that support mental health and resilience.

SMCYP also leverages Sam McCracken’s network of Native athletes, leaders, and role models to provide mentorship and inspiration - helping youth build confidence, navigate stress and adversity, and envision strong futures for themselves and their communities.

Mental wellness

SMCYP believes that Native youth wellbeing must be rooted in culture, community, and positive identity. Through partnerships with health professionals, educators, and community leaders, SMCYP develops culturally informed, data-driven programs that support mental health and resilience.

SMCYP also leverages Sam McCracken’s network of Native athletes, leaders, and role models to provide mentorship and inspiration - helping youth build confidence, navigate stress and adversity, and envision strong futures for themselves and their communities.

Physical wellness

Culture is one of the strongest protective factors for Native youth. SMCYP programs encourage youth to explore identity, creativity, and leadership grounded in Indigenous traditions and values.

By strengthening cultural pride and community connection, SMCYP helps youth build resilience, develop leadership skills, and envision futures where they uplift their families, communities, and Tribal Nations.

Physical wellness

Culture is one of the strongest protective factors for Native youth. SMCYP programs encourage youth to explore identity, creativity, and leadership grounded in Indigenous traditions and values.

By strengthening cultural pride and community connection, SMCYP helps youth build resilience, develop leadership skills, and envision futures where they uplift their families, communities, and Tribal Nations.

Cultural wellness

Sport and movement are powerful tools for both physical and mental health. SMCYP works alongside Tribal communities, schools, and local organizations to expand access to sport, outdoor activity, and traditional movement for Native youth.

Through clinics, field days, competitions, and outdoor experiences, SMCYP helps youth develop lifelong habits of physical wellness while strengthening teamwork, leadership, and connection to community.

Cultural wellness

Sport and movement are powerful tools for both physical and mental health. SMCYP works alongside Tribal communities, schools, and local organizations to expand access to sport, outdoor activity, and traditional movement for Native youth.

Through clinics, field days, competitions, and outdoor experiences, SMCYP helps youth develop lifelong habits of physical wellness while strengthening teamwork, leadership, and connection to community.

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Leadership

Behind SMCYP is a team of leaders committed to advancing opportunity, wellness, and leadership for Native youth. Together they bring experience across tribal leadership, sport, philanthropy, policy, and education.

Nikki Santos

CEO

Jodi McCracken

COO

Invest in Native Youth

Your support helps Native youth thrive in mind, body, and spirit through programs rooted in culture, sport, and community leadership.

Contribute

Invest in Native Youth

Your support helps Native youth thrive in mind, body, and spirit through programs rooted in culture, sport, and community leadership.

Contribute

Invest in Native Youth

Your support helps Native youth thrive in mind, body, and spirit through programs rooted in culture, sport, and community leadership.

Contribute