October 17, 2024
Celebrating Indigenous People's Day with Design
ArtCenter College of Design Welcomes Sam McCracken and Lauren Thomas for Inspiring Talk on Indigenous Design and Community Impact
ArtCenter College of Design is pleased to have hosted a special event in celebration of Indigenous People’s Day featuring Sam McCracken, the Nike N7 General Manager, and Lauren Thomas, Expert 3D designer, Jordan Brand (NIKE, Inc.), on Monday, October 14th, 2024. The event took place in ArtCenter’s Ahmanson Auditorium, where these influential voices shared their insights on Indigenous design, cultural representation, and community engagement in the world of sports and beyond.
Sam McCracken, a member of the Sioux and Assiniboine nations, has been a pivotal figure in promoting Indigenous culture through design. With over 25 years of experience in the athletic industry, he has played a crucial role in the development of the Nike N7 program, which aims to inspire Indigenous youth to lead active and healthy lifestyles.
Lauren Thomas, a member of the Mi’kmaq First Nation, brings a fresh perspective to the Nike N7 initiative, focusing on the importance of cultural authenticity and representation in design. Her passion for creating meaningful products that resonate with Indigenous communities complements McCracken's vision.
“We’re delighted to have Sam and Lauren share their experiences and insights with our campus community. Their work reflects the power of design in effecting positive change,” said Aaron Bruce, ArtCenter Vice President, and Chief Diversity Officer. “Their visit to campus aligns perfectly with our ongoing discussions around the intersection of identity and design.”
The well-attended event included a fireside chat with both McCracken and Thomas, followed by an intimate Q&A session where attendees engaged directly with these leaders in the industry. Topics span across the role of Indigenous design in mainstream sports culture, strategies for community engagement, and the unique intersection of identity and the creative process.
Participants included Mona Morales Recalde from the San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians, Gabrieleno/Tongva, Community Outreach, and the Indigenous student population at ArtCenter.
This event is part of a broader initiative at ArtCenter to celebrate diversity in art and design and highlight the contributions of Indigenous voices within the creative community.
Contacts:
For more information about this event: https://www.artcenter.edu/connect/events/fireside-chat-Nike-N7.html
For more information about ArtCenter: https://www.artcenter.edu
For more information about ArtCenter events: https://www.artcenter.edu/connect/events/index.html
Event Contact:
Aaron Bruce, MIBA, PhD
Vice President, Chief Diversity Officer
ArtCenter College of Design
aaron.bruce@artcenter.edu
About ArtCenter
Founded in 1930 and located in Pasadena, California, ArtCenter College of Design is a global leader in art and design education. ArtCenter offers 11 undergraduate and seven graduate degrees in a wide variety of industrial design disciplines as well as visual and applied arts. Renowned for both its ties to industry and its social impact initiatives, ArtCenter is the first design school to receive the United Nations’ Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) status. Throughout the College’s long and storied history, ArtCenter alumni have had a profound impact on popular culture, the way we live and important issues in our society.
Land Acknowledgement for ArtCenter
We acknowledge that ArtCenter College of Design is included in the region of the ancestral and traditional lands of the Hahamog'na Tongva people, who historically inhabited the San Gabriel Valley area around present-day Paadena and Altadena. We honor their connection to this region and give thanks for the opportunity to live, work and learn on their traditional homeland.
