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In October on the island of Lifou, a traditional twin-hulled vessel was pushed into the coastal lagoon – a seemingly minor event that signified a deeply symbolic moment.

It was the inaugural voyage of a ancestral vessel 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 initiative that seeks to restore heritage canoe building in New Caledonia.

Dozens of canoes have been built in an effort intended to reunite native Kanak communities with their oceanic traditions. Tikoure says the boats also help the “start of conversation” around sea access rights and conservation measures.

Diplomatic Efforts

This past July, he visited France and conferred with President Emmanuel Macron, pushing for marine policies developed alongside and by Indigenous communities that recognise their connection to the ocean.

“Forefathers always navigated the ocean. We forgot that knowledge for a while,” Tikoure says. “Today we’re reclaiming it again.”

Canoes hold profound traditional meaning in New Caledonia. They once symbolised travel, trade and tribal partnerships across islands, but those customs declined under colonisation and religious conversion efforts.

Tradition Revival

His journey started in 2016, when the New Caledonia government’s culture department was considering how to reintroduce heritage vessel construction methods. Tikoure collaborated with the government and after two years the boat building initiative – known as Kenu Waan project – was launched.

“The hardest part was not wood collection, it was persuading communities,” he says.

Project Achievements

The Kenu Waan project aimed to restore ancestral sailing methods, mentor apprentice constructors and use canoe-making to enhance traditional heritage and regional collaboration.

So far, the team has produced an exhibition, released a publication and facilitated the construction or restoration of around 30 canoes – from the southern region to the northern shoreline.

Material Advantages

Different from many other island territories where tree loss has limited lumber availability, New Caledonia still has appropriate timber for crafting substantial vessels.

“Elsewhere, they often employ modern composites. Here, we can still carve solid logs,” he says. “It makes all the difference.”

The canoes created under the program merge traditional boat forms with regional navigation methods.

Teaching Development

Beginning this year, Tikoure has also been educating students in seafaring and ancestral craft methods at the University of New Caledonia.

“For the first time ever this knowledge are included at advanced education. It’s not theory – this is knowledge I’ve lived. I’ve crossed oceans on these vessels. I’ve cried tears of joy doing it.”

Island Cooperation

He traveled with the crew of the traditional boat, the heritage craft that traveled to Tonga for the oceanic conference in 2024.

“From Hawaii to Rapa Nui, through various islands, this represents a unified effort,” he states. “We’re restoring the sea collectively.”

Political Engagement

During the summer, Tikoure travelled to the European location to present a “Kanak vision of the sea” when he had discussions with Macron and other leaders.

Addressing official and international delegates, he argued for collaborative ocean management based on Kanak custom and local engagement.

“We must engage them – particularly those who live from fishing.”

Current Development

Currently, when sailors from throughout the region – from Fiji, the Micronesian region and New Zealand – visit Lifou, they analyze boats together, modify the design and finally navigate in unison.

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

Comprehensive Vision

According to Tikoure, educating sailors and promoting conservation measures are connected.

“The fundamental issue involves public engagement: what permissions exist to move across the sea, and who determines what occurs in these waters? The canoe serve as a method to initiate that discussion.”