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During the autumn month of October on the island of Lifou, a traditional twin-hulled vessel was set afloat in the coastal lagoon – a simple gesture that signified a highly meaningful moment.

It was the maiden journey of a heritage boat on Lifou in many decades, an event that assembled the island’s primary tribal groups in a exceptional demonstration of solidarity.

Activist and sailor Aile Tikoure was behind the launch. For the previous eight-year period, he has spearheaded a program that seeks to restore traditional boat making in New Caledonia.

Dozens of canoes have been constructed in an effort intended to reunite Indigenous Kanak people with their maritime heritage. Tikoure says the boats also facilitate the “start of conversation” around sea access rights and ecological regulations.

International Advocacy

In July, he travelled to France and met President Emmanuel Macron, pushing for marine policies created in consultation with and by Indigenous communities that acknowledge their relationship with the sea.

“Previous generations always crossed the sea. We forgot that knowledge for a period,” Tikoure states. “Currently we’re rediscovering it again.”

Traditional vessels hold significant historical meaning in New Caledonia. They once represented mobility, interaction and family cooperations across islands, but those practices declined under colonisation and outside cultural pressures.

Tradition Revival

This mission commenced in 2016, when the New Caledonia heritage ministry was considering how to reintroduce traditional canoe-building skills. Tikoure partnered with the administration and following a two-year period the canoe construction project – known as Kenu Waan project – was born.

“The hardest part wasn’t cutting down trees, it was persuading communities,” he says.

Project Achievements

The Kenu Waan project sought to revive traditional navigation techniques, educate new craftspeople and use vessel construction to strengthen community pride and inter-island cooperation.

Up to now, the group has organized a showcase, published a book and facilitated the creation or repair of around 30 canoes – from Goro to the northeastern coast.

Material Advantages

Different from many other island territories where forest clearing has limited wood resources, New Caledonia still has appropriate timber for constructing major boats.

“Elsewhere, they often employ modern composites. In our location, we can still craft from natural timber,” he says. “That represents all the difference.”

The vessels constructed under the Kenu Waan Project combine traditional boat forms with Melanesian rigging.

Academic Integration

Since 2024, Tikoure has also been instructing navigation and heritage building techniques at the University of New Caledonia.

“It’s the first time these subjects are taught at master’s level. This isn’t academic – it’s something I’ve lived. I’ve navigated major waters on these canoes. I’ve cried tears of joy while accomplishing this.”

Island Cooperation

He traveled with the members of the Uto ni Yalo, the Fijian canoe that traveled to Tonga for the Pacific Islands Forum in 2024.

“Throughout the region, from Fiji to here, this represents a unified effort,” he says. “We’re restoring the ocean as a community.”

Governance Efforts

During the summer, Tikoure journeyed to the European location to introduce a “Kanak vision of the ocean” when he had discussions with Macron and government representatives.

Before state and foreign officials, he argued for collaborative ocean management based on local practices and community involvement.

“It’s essential to include these communities – particularly those who live from fishing.”

Modern Adaptation

Currently, when navigators from across the Pacific – from the Fijian islands, the Micronesian region and New Zealand – arrive in Lifou, they study canoes together, adjust the structure and ultimately sail side by side.

“It’s not about duplicating the ancient designs, we enable their progression.”

Integrated Mission

In his view, instructing mariners and promoting conservation measures are connected.

“It’s all about public engagement: who is entitled to travel ocean waters, and what authority governs what occurs there? The canoe serve as a method to begin that dialogue.”