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In October on the island of Lifou, a double-hulled canoe was pushed into the turquoise waters – a small act that represented a highly meaningful moment.

It was the inaugural voyage of a ancestral vessel on Lifou in many decades, an event that brought together the island’s three chiefly clans in a exceptional demonstration of solidarity.

Activist and sailor Aile Tikoure was instrumental in the launch. For the previous eight-year period, he has overseen a program that works to resurrect heritage canoe building in New Caledonia.

Dozens of canoes have been constructed in an effort intended to reunite native Kanak communities with their seafaring legacy. Tikoure explains the boats also facilitate the “opening of discussions” around ocean rights and ecological regulations.

Diplomatic Efforts

During the summer month of July, he travelled to France and met President Emmanuel Macron, calling for maritime regulations created in consultation with and by local tribes that honor their connection to the ocean.

“Previous generations always crossed the sea. We forgot that knowledge for a period,” Tikoure states. “Today we’re reclaiming it again.”

Canoes hold deep cultural importance in New Caledonia. They once represented movement, trade and clan alliances across islands, but those traditions diminished under foreign occupation and religious conversion efforts.

Tradition Revival

The initiative commenced in 2016, when the New Caledonia government’s culture department was looking at how to reintroduce heritage vessel construction methods. Tikoure collaborated with the authorities and following a two-year period the canoe construction project – known as Kenu Waan project – was launched.

“The most difficult aspect didn’t involve harvesting timber, it was persuading communities,” he explains.

Initiative Accomplishments

The program aimed to restore ancestral sailing methods, mentor apprentice constructors and use boat-building to reinforce traditional heritage and regional collaboration.

Up to now, the organization has created a display, published a book and facilitated the creation or repair of approximately thirty vessels – from the far south to the northern shoreline.

Material Advantages

Unlike many other Pacific islands where tree loss has reduced lumber availability, New Caledonia still has suitable wood for crafting substantial vessels.

“In other places, they often use synthetic materials. Locally, we can still craft from natural timber,” he states. “This creates a significant advantage.”

The boats constructed under the Kenu Waan Project merge traditional boat forms with local sailing systems.

Educational Expansion

Beginning this year, Tikoure has also been teaching maritime travel and heritage building techniques at the local university.

“This marks the initial occasion this knowledge are taught at advanced education. It goes beyond textbooks – this is knowledge I’ve experienced. I’ve crossed oceans on traditional boats. I’ve cried tears of joy during these journeys.”

Regional Collaboration

Tikoure sailed with the members of the Uto ni Yalo, the Pacific vessel that sailed to Tonga for the oceanic conference in 2024.

“Throughout the region, through various islands, we’re part of a collective initiative,” he states. “We’re restoring the sea collectively.”

Political Engagement

During the summer, Tikoure visited Nice, France to present a “Kanak vision of the marine environment” when he had discussions with Macron and additional officials.

In front of government and foreign officials, he pushed for shared maritime governance based on local practices and participation.

“You have to involve these communities – most importantly people dependent on marine resources.”

Current Development

Today, when mariners from across the Pacific – from Fiji, Micronesia and New Zealand – visit Lifou, they study canoes collectively, refine the construction and finally sail side by side.

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

Holistic Approach

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

“The fundamental issue involves community participation: who is entitled to travel ocean waters, and who decides what happens there? Traditional vessels is a way to start that conversation.”