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In October on Lifou island, a ancient-style canoe was launched into the lagoon – a simple gesture that represented a highly meaningful moment.

It was the inaugural voyage of a traditional canoe on Lifou in living memory, an occasion that assembled the island’s primary tribal groups in a uncommon display of togetherness.

Activist and sailor Aile Tikoure was the driving force behind the launch. For the last eight years, he has spearheaded a program that aims to revive heritage canoe building in New Caledonia.

Numerous traditional boats have been built in an project aimed at reconnecting native Kanak communities with their maritime heritage. Tikoure states the boats also facilitate the “start of conversation” around maritime entitlements and ecological regulations.

Global Outreach

During the summer month of July, he travelled to France and had discussions with President Emmanuel Macron, calling for ocean governance created in consultation with and by local tribes that honor their connection to the ocean.

“Forefathers always navigated the ocean. We lost that for a time,” Tikoure explains. “Today we’re reclaiming it again.”

Canoes hold profound traditional importance in New Caledonia. They once stood for movement, exchange and clan alliances across islands, but those traditions diminished under colonisation and outside cultural pressures.

Heritage Restoration

This mission started in 2016, when the New Caledonia government’s culture department was looking at how to reintroduce heritage vessel construction methods. Tikoure worked with the government and after two years the vessel restoration program – known as Project Kenu Waan – was launched.

“The most difficult aspect was not harvesting timber, it was gaining local support,” he says.

Project Achievements

The program aimed to restore traditional navigation techniques, train young builders and use boat-building to strengthen community pride and island partnerships.

So far, the team has produced an exhibition, published a book and enabled the construction or restoration of approximately thirty vessels – from Goro to the northeastern coast.

Material Advantages

In contrast to many other island territories where tree loss has limited timber supplies, New Caledonia still has proper lumber for constructing major boats.

“There, they often employ synthetic materials. In our location, we can still work with whole trees,” he says. “That represents a significant advantage.”

The boats constructed under the Kenu Waan Project integrate Polynesian hull design with regional navigation methods.

Academic Integration

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

“This marks the initial occasion these subjects are included at advanced education. It goes beyond textbooks – this is knowledge I’ve experienced. I’ve crossed oceans on these vessels. I’ve felt overwhelming happiness while accomplishing this.”

Regional Collaboration

Tikoure sailed with the members of the Fijian vessel, the Pacific vessel that sailed to Tonga for the oceanic conference in 2024.

“Across the Pacific, from Fiji to here, this represents a unified effort,” he says. “We’re restoring the maritime heritage collectively.”

Political Engagement

In July, Tikoure journeyed to Nice, France to share a “Indigenous perspective of the marine environment” when he had discussions with Macron and additional officials.

Addressing official and overseas representatives, he argued for cooperative sea policies based on Indigenous traditions and local engagement.

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

Contemporary Evolution

Now, when navigators from throughout the region – from the Fijian islands, the Micronesian region and New Zealand – visit Lifou, they study canoes in cooperation, refine the construction and finally voyage together.

“It’s not about duplicating the old models, we enable their progression.”

Integrated Mission

For Tikoure, teaching navigation and advocating environmental policy are connected.

“The fundamental issue involves how we involve people: who has the right to travel ocean waters, and who determines which activities take place on it? The canoe is a way to initiate that discussion.”