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During the autumn month of October on the island of Lifou, a double-hulled canoe was launched into the lagoon – a small act that signified a highly meaningful moment.

It was the inaugural voyage of a traditional canoe on Lifou in many decades, an gathering that united the island’s primary tribal groups in a rare show of unity.

Seafarer and campaigner Aile Tikoure was the driving force behind the launch. For the last eight years, he has overseen a program that aims to revive traditional boat making in New Caledonia.

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

Diplomatic Efforts

During the summer month of July, he journeyed to France and met President Emmanuel Macron, pushing for marine policies developed alongside and by Indigenous communities that acknowledge their maritime heritage.

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

Traditional vessels hold deep cultural meaning in New Caledonia. They once symbolised movement, exchange and tribal partnerships across islands, but those traditions faded under colonisation and religious conversion efforts.

Heritage Restoration

This mission started in 2016, when the New Caledonia cultural authorities was looking at how to reintroduce heritage vessel construction methods. Tikoure worked with the government and after two years the canoe construction project – known as Project Kenu Waan – was born.

“The most difficult aspect didn’t involve cutting down trees, it was persuading communities,” he says.

Program Successes

The initiative sought to revive traditional navigation techniques, educate new craftspeople and use vessel construction to strengthen cultural identity and island partnerships.

Up to now, the organization has created a display, published a book and supported the building or renovation of around 30 canoes – from the southern region to the northern shoreline.

Resource Benefits

Different from many other island territories where tree loss has reduced timber supplies, New Caledonia still has proper lumber for constructing major boats.

“In other places, they often use synthetic materials. In our location, we can still craft from natural timber,” he explains. “This creates a significant advantage.”

The boats constructed under the program combine Polynesian hull design with regional navigation methods.

Teaching Development

Since 2024, Tikoure has also been teaching maritime travel and heritage building techniques at the educational institution.

“For the first time ever these subjects are taught at graduate studies. This isn’t academic – these are experiences I’ve experienced. I’ve sailed vast distances on these canoes. I’ve experienced profound emotion during these journeys.”

Regional Collaboration

Tikoure sailed with the crew of the traditional boat, the Pacific vessel that journeyed to Tonga for the oceanic conference in 2024.

“From Hawaii to Rapa Nui, through various islands, it’s the same movement,” he explains. “We’re reclaiming the maritime heritage as a community.”

Political Engagement

This past July, Tikoure travelled to Nice, France to introduce a “Kanak vision of the sea” when he conferred with Macron and other leaders.

Addressing official and overseas representatives, he pushed for shared maritime governance based on Indigenous traditions and local engagement.

“You have to involve local populations – particularly people dependent on marine resources.”

Contemporary Evolution

Today, when sailors from across the Pacific – from Fiji, Micronesia and Aotearoa – come to Lifou, they examine vessels collectively, adjust the structure and eventually navigate in unison.

“We don’t just copy the old models, we make them evolve.”

Comprehensive Vision

In his view, teaching navigation and advocating environmental policy are connected.

“The fundamental issue involves public engagement: what permissions exist to travel ocean waters, and who decides what happens there? Heritage boats is a way to begin that dialogue.”