500 Sails just received word from the Department of Lands and Natural Resources that starting March 30th, our traditional sailing and boatbuilding non-profit will be forced to relocate from the Guma Sakman, where we store our instructional Chamorro canoe, teach traditional sailing, and offer free swim lessons to the community. 

While 500 Sails respects and appreciates DLNR and Parks and Rec, we also must request community support to stay in the Guma Sakman, which has a central and irreplaceable location on the beach in Civic Center alongside other traditional maritime activities like the the DCCA's Seafaring Traditions Program and the Northern Marianas Paddle Sports Federation, as well as other community hubs like MHS, where the majority of our Gamsun Project certified lifeguards attend school.

We treasure the Guma Sakman because of the way it allows us to serve the CNMI and collaborate with other community servants and cultural practitioners - we have always opened our building for other organizations' events, including indigenous dance classes, the agricultural fair, and the Indigenous Cultural Expo, and we hope to continue to do so. 

Here are some stats about our services in the past three years:

Free swim classes: 468

Free student learning hours: 5,489

Volunteer boat building hours: 3,305

Cultural events participated in last year (many of which were hosted at the Guma Sakman): 56 

Partnerships with local businesses and organizations: 22

Without our location in the Guma Sakman, we don't know how or if we can offer the swimming and sailing services that we have made available in the past years. If you, your family members, or your friends have benefited from our services, please show your support by signing this petition requesting that the CNMI government extend our stay in the Guma Sakman, so we can continue our work for the CNMI community.