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During the autumn month of October on the island of Lifou, a double-hulled canoe was set afloat in the lagoon – a seemingly minor event that represented a profoundly important moment.

It was the inaugural voyage of a traditional canoe on Lifou in many decades, an occasion that brought together the island’s main family lineages in a uncommon display of togetherness.

Seafarer and campaigner Aile Tikoure was the driving force behind the launch. For the past eight years, he has overseen a program that aims to revive ancestral vessel construction in New Caledonia.

Numerous traditional boats have been constructed in an effort intended to reunite Indigenous Kanak people with their oceanic traditions. Tikoure states the boats also facilitate the “opening of discussions” around maritime entitlements and conservation measures.

Diplomatic Efforts

This past July, he travelled to France and had discussions with President Emmanuel Macron, advocating for maritime regulations developed alongside and by local tribes that acknowledge their connection to the ocean.

“Forefathers always crossed the sea. We abandoned that practice for a time,” Tikoure states. “Currently we’re rediscovering it again.”

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

Cultural Reclamation

This mission began in 2016, when the New Caledonia cultural authorities was looking at how to reintroduce ancestral boat-making techniques. Tikoure collaborated with the administration and two years later the boat building initiative – known as Kenu Waan project – was born.

“The most difficult aspect didn’t involve wood collection, it was persuading communities,” he says.

Project Achievements

The program aimed to restore ancestral sailing methods, mentor apprentice constructors and use canoe-making to strengthen community pride and regional collaboration.

Up to now, the organization has produced an exhibition, issued a volume and facilitated the construction or restoration of around 30 canoes – from the far south to the northern shoreline.

Material Advantages

Different from many other island territories where deforestation has limited wood resources, New Caledonia still has appropriate timber for carving large hulls.

“In other places, they often use modern composites. Here, we can still carve solid logs,” he explains. “This creates a significant advantage.”

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

Teaching Development

Since 2024, Tikoure has also been educating students in navigation and ancestral craft methods at the local university.

“It’s the first time these topics are offered at master’s level. This isn’t academic – these are experiences I’ve experienced. I’ve sailed vast distances on these canoes. I’ve cried tears of joy while accomplishing this.”

Regional Collaboration

Tikoure sailed with the team of the Fijian vessel, the Fijian canoe that journeyed to Tonga for the Pacific Islands Forum in 2024.

“Across the Pacific, including our location, this represents a unified effort,” he states. “We’re taking back the maritime heritage together.”

Political Engagement

In July, Tikoure visited the French city to present a “Indigenous perspective of the ocean” when he conferred with Macron and additional officials.

Before state and international delegates, he advocated for collaborative ocean management based on Indigenous traditions and community involvement.

“It’s essential to include local populations – especially those who live from fishing.”

Current Development

Currently, when mariners from throughout the region – from the Fijian islands, Micronesia and New Zealand – visit Lifou, they analyze boats in cooperation, modify the design and eventually sail side by side.

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

Comprehensive Vision

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

“The core concept concerns public engagement: what permissions exist to navigate marine territories, and who decides what occurs on it? Traditional vessels serve as a method to start that conversation.”