Glacier Country News

The University of Montana is seeking submissions from Indigenous artists for its N7-inspired promotional retail line. This initiative aims to celebrate Native culture and heritage in Montana through the creation of a logo and graphic identity for the 2025-26 season.

"The N7-inspired campaign has become a beloved UM tradition and a top-selling retail line in the last three years," stated Goat Lamb, UM chief licensing officer. "We are excited to once again call for Native artist submissions that so richly illustrate the deep connection between UM and Montana’s tribal nations."

The university hosts annual N7-inspired basketball games in collaboration with Grizzly Athletics. These events highlight the contributions of Native American students, employees, student-athletes, and community members at UM. The games also feature displays of Montana's tribal flags and halftime Indigenous dance performances.

Artists commissioned by the university must submit their work digitally via a form available at bit.ly/N7Art. The deadline for submission is Friday, March 21. An advisory committee will review entries, with selections announced by April.

Proceeds from this retail line benefit UM’s Kyiyo Native American Student Association, which organizes one of the longest-running student-led powwows in the country, the Kyiyo Pow Wow.

Previous contributors to this campaign include Benji Headswift from Northern Cheyenne ((Só'taétane), Lyle Omeasso from Blackfeet Nation (Piikani), and Kaylene Big Knife from Chippewa Cree.

For more information about UM’s Nike-inspired N7 retail line, contact UM Brand Experience Manager Karen Schlatter at karen.schlatter@umontana.edu or call 406-304-7241.