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During the autumn month of October on Lifou island, a double-hulled canoe was set afloat in the turquoise waters – a simple gesture that signified a profoundly important moment.

It was the inaugural voyage of a heritage boat on Lifou in generations, an event that united the island’s three chiefly clans in a uncommon display of togetherness.

Activist and sailor Aile Tikoure was instrumental in the launch. For the past eight years, he has spearheaded a project that aims to revive traditional boat making in New Caledonia.

Many heritage vessels have been crafted in an project aimed at reconnecting native Kanak communities with their oceanic traditions. Tikoure says the boats also promote the “beginning of dialogue” around sea access rights and conservation measures.

Diplomatic Efforts

During the summer month of July, he journeyed to France and had discussions with President Emmanuel Macron, advocating for maritime regulations created in consultation with and by local tribes that recognise their connection to the ocean.

“Our ancestors always navigated the ocean. We abandoned that practice for a period,” Tikoure states. “Today we’re reclaiming it again.”

Traditional vessels hold deep cultural meaning in New Caledonia. They once represented movement, trade and tribal partnerships across islands, but those traditions diminished under colonisation and religious conversion efforts.

Heritage Restoration

The initiative commenced in 2016, when the New Caledonia cultural authorities was looking at how to restore ancestral boat-making techniques. Tikoure partnered with the authorities and following a two-year period the canoe construction project – known as Project Kenu Waan – was launched.

“The most difficult aspect was not wood collection, it was gaining local support,” he explains.

Program Successes

The initiative sought to revive heritage voyaging practices, educate new craftspeople and use vessel construction to enhance community pride and island partnerships.

So far, the organization has produced an exhibition, published a book and facilitated the construction or restoration of nearly three dozen boats – from the southern region to Ponerihouen.

Material Advantages

In contrast to many other Pacific islands where deforestation has diminished lumber availability, New Caledonia still has suitable wood for carving large hulls.

“Elsewhere, they often employ synthetic materials. Locally, we can still craft from natural timber,” he says. “That represents a significant advantage.”

The vessels built under the initiative integrate Polynesian hull design with local sailing systems.

Educational Expansion

Starting recently, Tikoure has also been teaching maritime travel and heritage building techniques at the educational institution.

“For the first time ever this knowledge are included at graduate studies. It goes beyond textbooks – it’s something I’ve personally undertaken. I’ve navigated major waters on these vessels. I’ve felt overwhelming happiness during these journeys.”

Island Cooperation

He voyaged with the team of the traditional boat, the Pacific vessel that sailed to Tonga for the Pacific Islands Forum in 2024.

“Across the Pacific, through various islands, this represents a unified effort,” he explains. “We’re restoring the maritime heritage together.”

Governance Efforts

During the summer, Tikoure journeyed to the French city to present a “Indigenous perspective of the ocean” when he had discussions with Macron and government representatives.

Before state and international delegates, he pushed for collaborative ocean management based on Indigenous traditions and participation.

“You have to involve them – particularly people dependent on marine resources.”

Contemporary Evolution

Currently, when navigators from across the Pacific – from Fiji, the Micronesian region and New Zealand – visit Lifou, they examine vessels collectively, adjust the structure and finally voyage together.

“We don’t just copy the traditional forms, we make them evolve.”

Comprehensive Vision

For Tikoure, educating sailors and promoting conservation measures are interrelated.

“The core concept concerns community participation: who has the right to move across the sea, and who decides what occurs there? The canoe serve as a method to initiate that discussion.”