Coalition marks 19th anniversary with outreach, fishing derby on Tinian

The Northern Marianas Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence took its 19th anniversary celebration to Tinian, with executive director Maisie B. Tenorio and board member Reina C. Camacho leading a day of outreach and community engagement during the S.A.F.E. Family Fun Day & Fishing Derby last March 21 at the Tinian Pika Fest grounds.

“Well, it's the Tinian Safe Fishing Derby and Family Fun Day. And so it's also the coalition's birthday, so what a better way to celebrate than to come down to Tinian, engage with the community, do a little bit of outreach, and do a little bit of fishing. So that's why we're here today,” Tenorio said.

Camacho reflected on the coalition’s nearly three decades of work, noting both growth and ongoing challenges.

“So much has happened over 19 years. I know that the organization, the staff, has grown in numbers and in the skills and the advocacy over the years. At the same time, we are still challenged by having our families still experience violence in their homes, violence, harassment in the workplace, or just related issues to domestic and sexual violence,” she said.

Tenorio said evolving technology has introduced new forms of abuse.

“As the years have passed, in the coalition's time, we've definitely noticed different methods… different methods of people perpetrating abuse against each other. And you mentioned technology, so AI has been an issue. And as the time moves on, there'll be new ways, new tactics that people use to abuse each other,” she said.

“Part of our message is… just trying to promote consent, promote respect. So regardless of what technology is out there, people will still treat each other with respect, ask for consent always. And so that's our mission, really, is to create a safer and more respectful CNMI, regardless of the technology that's out there,” Tenorio added.

She said the coalition continues to work closely with schools and organizations across the CNMI.

“Definitely, yes. In fact, we have spoken to [Society of Human Resource Management] a number of times. We have a very good relationship with NMTech and [Northern Marianas College] and [Public School System]. So we are working very closely with all of these educational institutions… so that it's a collaborative effort,” Tenorio said.

The day’s activities were anchored on the coalition’s S.A.F.E. campaign.

“SAFE is actually an acronym. It means Safe, Aware, Free, and Empower. So every year during Sexual Assault Awareness Month, we host a SAFE Jamboree… we created this event in partnership with our partners here on Tinian in collaboration with them,” she said.

Tenorio added that the coalition is also seeking Tinian representation on its board.

“We would like to have representation from Tinian to join the movement… We also just want to thank the Tinian community for having us here… we are really excited to be here,” she said.

The morning fishing derby drew dozens of young participants casting lines along the shoreline, turning advocacy into a family-friendly event.

Lance Aldan, 14, of Tinian Middle School and High School, said he joined despite the venue not being his usual fishing spot.

“Sometimes. I really like to go to the bantalan… but, you know, fishing derby is here so I might as well just fish here,” he said. “Hopefully I catch a big fish.”

Carter Cruz, 15, also a student at Tinian High School, was eyeing a familiar catch.

“Mufuti,” he said when asked what he hoped to reel in, adding, “Maybe. You never know,” when asked about his chances of winning.

Ten-year-old Charisse Cruz of Tinian Elementary School was more confident.

“Yes,” she said when asked if she expected to win, also hoping to catch mufuti.

Another participant, Troy “Choy” Manglonya, proudly showed off an emperor fish he landed.

“Three minutes,” he said of the fight to reel it in, using an octopus lure after catching it off Cammer Beach. “Maybe,” he added when asked if it was enough to win.

The derby ran from 6am to 11am, followed by an afternoon outreach event at the fiesta grounds with partners including the Tinian Health Center, Northern Marianas Protection and Advocacy Systems, Inc., Department of Public Safety, Division of Youth Services, and the Division of Fish and Wildlife.