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This past October on Lifou, a traditional twin-hulled vessel was set afloat in the turquoise waters – a seemingly minor event that represented a deeply symbolic moment.

It was the maiden journey of a heritage boat on Lifou in many decades, an gathering that assembled the island’s main family lineages in a exceptional demonstration of solidarity.

Activist and sailor Aile Tikoure was behind the launch. For the past eight years, he has overseen a initiative that works to resurrect traditional boat making in New Caledonia.

Dozens of canoes have been constructed in an effort designed to reconnect Indigenous Kanak people with their maritime heritage. Tikoure states the boats also help the “opening of discussions” around sea access rights and environmental policies.

International Advocacy

During the summer month of July, he travelled to France and conferred with President Emmanuel Macron, advocating for ocean governance shaped with and by Indigenous communities that acknowledge their maritime heritage.

“Our ancestors always traveled by water. We forgot that knowledge for a period,” Tikoure says. “Currently we’re rediscovering it again.”

Canoes hold deep cultural meaning in New Caledonia. They once represented movement, trade and family cooperations across islands, but those traditions faded under colonial rule and missionary influences.

Heritage Restoration

His journey commenced in 2016, when the New Caledonia cultural authorities was looking at how to bring back heritage vessel construction methods. Tikoure worked with the authorities and two years later the vessel restoration program – known as the Kenu Waan initiative – was established.

“The hardest part wasn’t cutting down trees, it was convincing people,” he explains.

Project Achievements

The initiative worked to bring back ancestral sailing methods, educate new craftspeople and use canoe-making to enhance traditional heritage and island partnerships.

To date, the group has produced an exhibition, issued a volume and supported the building or renovation of approximately thirty vessels – from the southern region to Ponerihouen.

Resource Benefits

In contrast to many other oceanic nations where deforestation has diminished wood resources, New Caledonia still has proper lumber for constructing major boats.

“Elsewhere, they often employ modern composites. Here, we can still carve solid logs,” he explains. “This creates a significant advantage.”

The canoes created under the Kenu Waan Project merge Polynesian hull design with regional navigation methods.

Academic Integration

Starting recently, Tikoure has also been instructing navigation and heritage building techniques at the educational institution.

“This marks the initial occasion these topics are taught at advanced education. It’s not theory – these are experiences I’ve personally undertaken. I’ve crossed oceans on these vessels. I’ve cried tears of joy doing it.”

Island Cooperation

He traveled with the members of the Fijian vessel, the Fijian canoe that journeyed to Tonga for the oceanic conference in 2024.

“Throughout the region, through various islands, we’re part of a collective initiative,” he says. “We’re reclaiming the sea collectively.”

Governance Efforts

During the summer, Tikoure travelled to the French city to present a “Kanak vision of the sea” when he conferred with Macron and government representatives.

Addressing official and international delegates, he advocated for collaborative ocean management based on Indigenous traditions and local engagement.

“We must engage these communities – especially fishing communities.”

Modern Adaptation

Today, when sailors from across the Pacific – from the Fijian islands, the Micronesian region and Aotearoa – visit Lifou, they analyze boats in cooperation, modify the design and finally voyage together.

“We’re not simply replicating the old models, we help them develop.”

Comprehensive Vision

For Tikoure, instructing mariners and promoting conservation measures are linked.

“It’s all about community participation: who has the right to travel ocean waters, and who decides what happens on it? Heritage boats serve as a method to start that conversation.”