(Press Release) — 500 Sails continues to support the revitalization of seafaring culture in the Marianas through its partnership with NMC-CREES’ 4-H Camp Maga’lahi.
As it has in years past, the cultural maritime nonprofit organization will launch a 26-foot Chamorro sailing vessel on Tuesday, July 19, and sail across the Saipan-Tinian Channel to land on Tachogna Beach. This sail is a part of the Cultural Maritime Training Center’s Traditional Sailing and Voyaging track funded by the Administration for Native Americans. Escort boat service will be provided by Weniol, captained by Larry Sharry. Once on Tinian, 500 Sails staff and volunteers will provide free canoe rides on Wednesday, July 20 for the dozens of campers taking part in Camp Maga’lahi.
500 Sails Director of Community Programs Andrew Roberto emphasized the importance of the event. “Sailing is part of the DNA of all the people of Oceania, so it’s natural that we’d want to continue to travel up and down the islands. 500 Sails is happy to share the gift of sailing with the children of the Marianas, because it is our hope that one day they’ll resume voyaging like their ancestors. Aside from that, sailing in a lagoon is simple, wholesome fun. We know the campers on Tinian will have a great time.”
Logistical support for this sail was made possible through funds from Sen. Karl R. King-Nabors of the 22nd Tinian Legislative Delegation.
4-H Marianas is a youth-led nonprofit dedicated to youth education in agriculture, healthy living, environmental and outdoor learning, STEM, indigenous culture, and creative arts. The Northern Marianas College Cooperative Research Extension and Education Service’s mission is to provide quality technical programs, services, and information to benefit the people, the environment and the economy of the CNMI.
This project was made possible by support from the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the US Department of Health and Human Services, as part of an Administration for Native Americans SEDS grant. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of the funders.
500 Sails is a 501(c)(3) and CNMI tax-exempt nonprofit organization dedicated to reviving, promoting, and preserving the maritime cultural traditions of the Mariana Islands through community engagement in canoe cultural values and activities. 500 Sails’ vision is a healthy thriving native community that has successfully integrated traditional cultural values into modern life. Major supporting partners include the CNMI Office of Indigenous Affairs, IT&E, and the Chamolinian Cultural Village Inc – Canoe Federation.
Further information can be found on the 500 Sails website at https://500sails.org and updates on our community programs can be found on our 500 Sails Facebook and Instagram pages. Community Programs Director Roberto can be reached via email through aroberto@500sails.org or at the boatyard in Lower Base at (670) 323-7245 (SAIL).
500 Sails staff and volunteers will provide free canoe rides on Wednesday, July 20 for the dozens of campers taking part in Camp Maga’lahi on Tinian.
