Beautiful New Montana Griz Nike N7 Logo Honoring Native Culture

With a unique tie to her roots, this Indigenous artist is redefining what school pride looks like in a new way that's deeply personal.

UM News Service tells that for the University of Montana’s Nike N7-inspired campaigns, which honor Native culture and heritage in Montana, Kendallyn Charging decided to take her admiration from afar to the next level. The result is her inspiring interpretation that will Griz fans will be wearing soon. 

WHAT WENT INTO THIS MISSOULA ARTIST'S CREATION

When the University asked for applications from Indigenous artists this past spring for its fourth version of the Native Griz design, Charging was eager to apply. As Kendallyn puts it, “I saw the past designs and people wearing them, and it’s so cool to see that kind of support and awareness for the Native communities. It’s an amazing thing.”

“It’s such an opportunity for me. I might have cried a little bit. It was a little nerve-racking for sure.” 

Charging, a Missoula resident and enrolled member of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Tribes of North Dakota, was selected for her design which combines the famous Griz script logo with a Golden Eagle feather, a sacred symbol to many Native tribes. The colors of the design combine the University’s vintage copper with its current maroon. All of it is outlined in turquoise, a color of great significance to many Indigenous cultures.

THE UNVEILING HAPPENS SOON

Charging’s design will be officially unveiled Saturday, November 8, at the Montana Grizzly football Native American Heritage Game. 

In January, the design will appear on the Montana men’s and Lady Griz basketball teams' shooting shirts during games this season in the Adams Center. The Griz and Lady Griz also will wear turquoise Nike uniforms.

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The Montana men’s basketball game will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, January. 24, and the Lady Griz game will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, January 31. The games are an opportunity for the University to celebrate the campaign and the contributions of its Native students, employees and student athletes.