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In October on Lifou, a double-hulled canoe was pushed into the turquoise waters – a simple gesture that marked a profoundly important moment.

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

Activist and sailor Aile Tikoure was behind the launch. For the past eight years, he has led a program that seeks to restore heritage canoe building in New Caledonia.

Dozens of canoes have been built in an initiative designed to reconnect native Kanak communities with their oceanic traditions. Tikoure explains the boats also promote the “start of conversation” around sea access rights and environmental policies.

Global Outreach

In July, he visited France and had discussions with President Emmanuel Macron, advocating for ocean governance created in consultation with and by local tribes that recognise their relationship with the sea.

“Our ancestors always crossed the sea. We lost that for a time,” Tikoure says. “Today we’re reclaiming it again.”

Heritage boats hold profound traditional importance in New Caledonia. They once symbolised travel, exchange and family cooperations across islands, but those practices declined under colonisation and outside cultural pressures.

Cultural Reclamation

The initiative started in 2016, when the New Caledonia heritage ministry was considering how to reintroduce traditional canoe-building skills. Tikoure partnered with the authorities and two years later the vessel restoration program – known as the Kenu Waan initiative – was launched.

“The hardest part wasn’t cutting down trees, it was persuading communities,” he notes.

Project Achievements

The program sought to revive ancestral sailing methods, educate new craftspeople and use canoe-making to strengthen traditional heritage and island partnerships.

Up to now, the organization has created a display, released a publication and enabled the building or renovation of approximately thirty vessels – from the southern region to the northern shoreline.

Material Advantages

Unlike many other oceanic nations where tree loss has limited timber supplies, New Caledonia still has proper lumber for crafting substantial vessels.

“In other places, they often work with modern composites. Locally, we can still craft from natural timber,” he explains. “That represents a significant advantage.”

The boats created under the initiative merge oceanic vessel shapes with Melanesian rigging.

Educational Expansion

Starting recently, Tikoure has also been educating students in maritime travel and traditional construction history at the educational institution.

“This marks the initial occasion these topics are offered at master’s level. It’s not theory – it’s something I’ve experienced. I’ve navigated major waters on these vessels. I’ve cried tears of joy during these journeys.”

Regional Collaboration

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

“Throughout the region, from Fiji to here, it’s the same movement,” he states. “We’re reclaiming the maritime heritage as a community.”

Policy Advocacy

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

Addressing official and international delegates, he advocated for collaborative ocean management based on local practices and local engagement.

“You have to involve local populations – particularly fishing communities.”

Current Development

Today, when mariners from across the Pacific – from Fiji, the Micronesian region and New Zealand – visit Lifou, they analyze boats in cooperation, modify the design and ultimately voyage together.

“We’re not simply replicating the traditional forms, we make them evolve.”

Comprehensive Vision

For Tikoure, teaching navigation and supporting ecological regulations are interrelated.

“The core concept concerns how we involve people: what permissions exist to navigate marine territories, and who decides what occurs on it? Traditional vessels is a way to begin that dialogue.”