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

It was the maiden journey of a ancestral vessel on Lifou in many decades, an gathering that united the island’s three chiefly clans in a uncommon display of togetherness.

Seafarer and campaigner Aile Tikoure was behind the launch. For the past eight years, he has spearheaded a program that aims to revive heritage canoe building in New Caledonia.

Dozens of canoes have been constructed in an initiative designed to reconnect local Kanak populations with their oceanic traditions. Tikoure states the boats also promote the “beginning of dialogue” around ocean rights and environmental policies.

International Advocacy

In July, he travelled to France and had discussions with President Emmanuel Macron, pushing for maritime regulations created in consultation with and by local tribes that acknowledge their relationship with the sea.

“Forefathers always navigated the ocean. We forgot that knowledge for a while,” Tikoure states. “Currently we’re rediscovering it again.”

Traditional vessels hold profound traditional importance in New Caledonia. They once stood for mobility, exchange and clan alliances across islands, but those practices declined under colonisation and missionary influences.

Tradition Revival

The initiative commenced in 2016, when the New Caledonia cultural authorities was exploring how to restore ancestral boat-making techniques. Tikoure collaborated with the government and two years later the vessel restoration program – known as Kenu Waan project – was born.

“The most difficult aspect was not wood collection, it was convincing people,” he explains.

Program Successes

The initiative worked to bring back traditional navigation techniques, train young builders and use boat-building to reinforce community pride and island partnerships.

Up to now, the team has created a display, released a publication and facilitated the creation or repair of around 30 canoes – from Goro to Ponerihouen.

Material Advantages

Different from many other Pacific islands where tree loss has reduced timber supplies, New Caledonia still has appropriate timber for carving large hulls.

“Elsewhere, they often employ marine plywood. In our location, we can still carve solid logs,” he explains. “That represents a significant advantage.”

The boats built under the Kenu Waan Project integrate oceanic vessel shapes with local sailing systems.

Teaching Development

Starting recently, Tikoure has also been instructing navigation and heritage building techniques at the local university.

“For the first time ever these topics are taught at graduate studies. It’s not theory – this is knowledge I’ve lived. I’ve navigated major waters on these vessels. I’ve cried tears of joy during these journeys.”

Island Cooperation

He traveled with the members of the traditional boat, the Pacific vessel that journeyed to Tonga for the oceanic conference in 2024.

“Throughout the region, through various islands, we’re part of a collective initiative,” he explains. “We’re reclaiming the sea as a community.”

Governance Efforts

In July, Tikoure visited the French city to share a “Indigenous perspective of the sea” when he had discussions with Macron and other leaders.

In front of government and foreign officials, he advocated for collaborative ocean management based on Indigenous traditions and local engagement.

“We must engage them – especially fishing communities.”

Current Development

Currently, when mariners from various island nations – from Fiji, the Micronesian region and Aotearoa – arrive in Lifou, they study canoes collectively, refine the construction and eventually navigate in unison.

“We don’t just copy the ancient designs, we enable their progression.”

Holistic Approach

In his view, instructing mariners and promoting conservation measures are linked.

“The core concept concerns how we involve people: who has the right to move across the sea, and who determines what happens in these waters? Heritage boats serve as a method to initiate that discussion.”