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This past October on the island of Lifou, a double-hulled canoe was set afloat in the coastal lagoon – a seemingly minor event that signified a highly meaningful moment.

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

Seafarer and campaigner Aile Tikoure was behind the launch. For the previous eight-year period, he has spearheaded a project that works to resurrect heritage canoe building in New Caledonia.

Numerous traditional boats have been crafted in an effort intended to reunite Indigenous Kanak people with their maritime heritage. Tikoure explains the boats also promote the “beginning of dialogue” around sea access rights and environmental policies.

International Advocacy

During the summer month of July, he visited France and met President Emmanuel Macron, advocating for ocean governance created in consultation with and by native populations that acknowledge their relationship with the sea.

“Forefathers always navigated the ocean. We lost that for a period,” Tikoure states. “Now we’re finding it again.”

Traditional vessels hold deep cultural importance in New Caledonia. They once symbolised mobility, trade and tribal partnerships across islands, but those practices faded under colonial rule and religious conversion efforts.

Tradition Revival

The initiative began in 2016, when the New Caledonia cultural authorities was looking at how to restore traditional canoe-building skills. Tikoure collaborated with the government and after two years the boat building initiative – known as Project Kenu Waan – was launched.

“The biggest challenge didn’t involve wood collection, it was convincing people,” he says.

Initiative Accomplishments

The program worked to bring back traditional navigation techniques, educate new craftspeople and use canoe-making to reinforce community pride and island partnerships.

To date, the team has produced an exhibition, released a publication and facilitated the building or renovation of nearly three dozen boats – from the southern region to the northern shoreline.

Material Advantages

Different from many other oceanic nations where tree loss has diminished timber supplies, New Caledonia still has proper lumber for constructing major boats.

“In other places, they often employ modern composites. Locally, we can still work with whole trees,” he says. “It makes a crucial distinction.”

The canoes constructed under the initiative merge Polynesian hull design with local sailing systems.

Teaching Development

Beginning this year, Tikoure has also been instructing navigation and ancestral craft methods at the University of New Caledonia.

“This marks the initial occasion these topics are included at graduate studies. This isn’t academic – this is knowledge I’ve experienced. I’ve sailed vast distances on these vessels. I’ve experienced profound emotion while accomplishing this.”

Island Cooperation

He voyaged with the crew of the traditional boat, the heritage craft that journeyed to Tonga for the Pacific Islands Forum in 2024.

“From Hawaii to Rapa Nui, including our location, we’re part of a collective initiative,” he says. “We’re restoring the ocean together.”

Political Engagement

This past July, Tikoure journeyed to Nice, France to share a “Indigenous perspective of the sea” when he had discussions with Macron and government representatives.

Before state and overseas representatives, he advocated for shared maritime governance based on Indigenous traditions and local engagement.

“It’s essential to include them – especially people dependent on marine resources.”

Current Development

Today, when mariners from across the Pacific – from the Fijian islands, the Micronesian region and Aotearoa – come to Lifou, they examine vessels together, refine the construction and ultimately sail side by side.

“We don’t just copy the traditional forms, we enable their progression.”

Holistic Approach

According to Tikoure, teaching navigation and advocating environmental policy are connected.

“The fundamental issue involves public engagement: who has the right to travel ocean waters, and who determines what happens on it? Traditional vessels is a way to begin that dialogue.”