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This past October on Lifou island, a double-hulled canoe was set afloat in the coastal lagoon – a simple gesture that marked a deeply symbolic moment.

It was the maiden journey of a heritage boat on Lifou in living memory, an event that assembled the island’s main family lineages in a uncommon display of togetherness.

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

Dozens of canoes have been built in an initiative designed to reconnect Indigenous Kanak people with their maritime heritage. Tikoure says the boats also facilitate the “beginning of dialogue” around sea access rights and ecological regulations.

Diplomatic Efforts

During the summer month of July, he travelled to France and conferred with President Emmanuel Macron, pushing for marine policies created in consultation with and by Indigenous communities that honor their connection to the ocean.

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

Heritage boats hold deep cultural meaning in New Caledonia. They once stood for movement, exchange and tribal partnerships across islands, but those traditions declined under foreign occupation and religious conversion efforts.

Heritage Restoration

His journey commenced in 2016, when the New Caledonia government’s culture department was looking at how to reintroduce heritage vessel construction methods. Tikoure partnered with the administration and two years later the boat building initiative – known as the Kenu Waan initiative – was established.

“The hardest part wasn’t harvesting timber, it was persuading communities,” he notes.

Initiative Accomplishments

The program worked to bring back heritage voyaging practices, educate new craftspeople and use boat-building to strengthen cultural identity and island partnerships.

Up to now, the group has created a display, released a publication and facilitated the creation or repair of nearly three dozen boats – from Goro to the northern shoreline.

Natural Resources

Unlike many other Pacific islands where deforestation has reduced wood resources, New Caledonia still has appropriate timber for constructing major boats.

“In other places, they often use synthetic materials. Here, we can still carve solid logs,” he states. “That represents all the difference.”

The vessels created under the Kenu Waan Project integrate Polynesian hull design with regional navigation methods.

Teaching Development

Beginning this year, Tikoure has also been educating students in maritime travel and heritage building techniques at the University of New Caledonia.

“This marks the initial occasion this knowledge are taught at master’s level. It goes beyond textbooks – these are experiences I’ve experienced. I’ve sailed vast distances on these vessels. I’ve felt overwhelming happiness while accomplishing this.”

Island Cooperation

He traveled with the team of the traditional boat, the heritage craft that sailed to Tonga for the Pacific Islands Forum in 2024.

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

Governance Efforts

This past July, Tikoure travelled to the European location to introduce a “Indigenous perspective of the marine environment” when he had discussions with Macron and government representatives.

In front of government and overseas representatives, he argued for cooperative sea policies based on Kanak custom and local engagement.

“It’s essential to include these communities – particularly fishing communities.”

Modern Adaptation

Currently, when navigators from across the Pacific – from Fiji, the Micronesian region and Aotearoa – come to Lifou, they analyze boats collectively, refine the construction and ultimately sail side by side.

“It’s not about duplicating the ancient designs, we help them develop.”

Holistic Approach

For Tikoure, instructing mariners and advocating environmental policy are connected.

“The fundamental issue involves public engagement: what permissions exist to travel ocean waters, and what authority governs what occurs in these waters? Traditional vessels is a way to initiate that discussion.”