Taking another step toward affiliating their brand with social responsibility, Nike Inc (NYSE: NKE) has created a shoe specifically designed for Native Americans, the Nike Air Native N7. The athletic performance shoe was designed with the input of 70 Native American communities, to fit their particular foot geography, and features a graphic design inspired by Native American culture.

The shoe is stuffed with feel-good features, too. It is constructed from materials intended to minimize waste and "deliver sustainable innovation," whatever that means, and designed with Seventh Generation ethos, which calls for decision makers to take into account the impact of their actions seven generations down the line.

Nike has earmarked profits from the sale of the shoe to support the extension of its new "Let Me Play" program on Native American lands. "Let Me Play" is an advercharity program launched this July by Nike to build and restore playgrounds around the world.

Don't look for a pair of N7s at your local shoe store, though; they will only be available through Nike's Native Business Program.

And no, this does not mean in your local casino. As far as I know. Addendum, 9/27: I asked Jill Zanger of Nike just what was the difference between the feet of Native Americans and Nike's core customer? She told me that, after checking the feet of 224 Native Americans from across the country, the company found that the feet of Native Americans are, on average, wider by a size and taller than Nike's average customer. The N7s are made to a last that takes this difference into account.

Addendum 10/9: In response to the many 'where can I buy these?" questions, I asked Nike, who responded "The Nike Air Native N7 is only available in the to registered users of Nike's Native American Business Program. This program makes Nike products, including the Air Native N7 beginning Nov. 1, available to Native American community health and wellness centers at preferential prices to encourage physically active lifestyles. Individuals interested in the shoe should contact their local tribal health facility or urban Indian Health Center."