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In October on Lifou, a double-hulled canoe was pushed into the lagoon – a seemingly minor event that marked a deeply symbolic moment.

It was the first launch of a traditional canoe on Lifou in many decades, an occasion that assembled the island’s primary tribal groups in a rare show of unity.

Activist and sailor Aile Tikoure was instrumental in the launch. For the previous eight-year period, he has overseen a initiative that aims to revive traditional boat making in New Caledonia.

Dozens of canoes have been constructed in an project aimed at reconnecting local Kanak populations with their oceanic traditions. Tikoure says the boats also promote the “start of conversation” around ocean rights and ecological regulations.

International Advocacy

This past July, he travelled to France and conferred with President Emmanuel Macron, pushing for ocean governance shaped with and by native populations that acknowledge their connection to the ocean.

“Forefathers always crossed the sea. We abandoned that practice for a period,” Tikoure says. “Today we’re reclaiming it again.”

Traditional vessels hold profound traditional meaning in New Caledonia. They once stood for travel, interaction and family cooperations across islands, but those traditions declined under colonisation and religious conversion efforts.

Cultural Reclamation

The initiative commenced in 2016, when the New Caledonia government’s culture department was looking at how to restore traditional canoe-building skills. Tikoure worked with the government and following a two-year period the vessel restoration program – known as Kenu Waan project – was born.

“The biggest challenge was not wood collection, it was convincing people,” he explains.

Initiative Accomplishments

The Kenu Waan project sought to revive heritage voyaging practices, mentor apprentice constructors and use boat-building to reinforce cultural identity and island partnerships.

To date, the group has produced an exhibition, issued a volume and facilitated the building or renovation of around 30 canoes – from Goro to the northeastern coast.

Resource Benefits

Different from many other island territories where forest clearing has reduced lumber availability, New Caledonia still has suitable wood for constructing major boats.

“In other places, they often employ marine plywood. Locally, we can still work with whole trees,” he states. “This creates a crucial distinction.”

The vessels constructed under the program merge oceanic vessel shapes with regional navigation methods.

Academic Integration

Beginning this year, Tikoure has also been instructing maritime travel and ancestral craft methods at the local university.

“For the first time ever this knowledge are offered at advanced education. This isn’t academic – it’s something I’ve personally undertaken. I’ve sailed vast distances on these canoes. I’ve experienced profound emotion doing it.”

Island Cooperation

He traveled with the team of the Fijian vessel, the Pacific vessel that journeyed to Tonga for the Pacific Islands Forum in 2024.

“Across the Pacific, including our location, we’re part of a collective initiative,” he says. “We’re restoring the maritime heritage collectively.”

Governance Efforts

During the summer, Tikoure travelled to Nice, France to share a “Kanak vision of the ocean” when he conferred with Macron and additional officials.

Addressing official and foreign officials, he advocated for shared maritime governance based on Kanak custom and participation.

“You have to involve them – especially people dependent on marine resources.”

Contemporary Evolution

Today, when navigators from across the Pacific – from the Fijian islands, the Micronesian region and New Zealand – arrive in Lifou, they examine vessels in cooperation, adjust the structure and ultimately sail side by side.

“It’s not about duplicating the old models, we help them develop.”

Integrated Mission

According to Tikoure, educating sailors and advocating environmental policy are linked.

“The fundamental issue involves how we involve people: who is entitled to navigate marine territories, and who decides what occurs there? Heritage boats is a way to initiate that discussion.”