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

It was the maiden journey of a heritage boat on Lifou in living memory, an gathering that united the island’s three chiefly clans in a exceptional demonstration of solidarity.

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

Numerous traditional boats have been crafted in an project designed to reconnect local Kanak populations with their maritime heritage. Tikoure states the boats also facilitate the “opening of discussions” around sea access rights and ecological regulations.

Global Outreach

This past July, he journeyed to France and met President Emmanuel Macron, calling for maritime regulations created in consultation with and by Indigenous communities that acknowledge their maritime heritage.

“Our ancestors always crossed the sea. We forgot that knowledge for a time,” Tikoure states. “Currently we’re rediscovering it again.”

Heritage boats hold deep cultural significance in New Caledonia. They once symbolised movement, trade and clan alliances across islands, but those practices declined under colonial rule and religious conversion efforts.

Tradition Revival

The initiative commenced in 2016, when the New Caledonia heritage ministry was exploring how to restore traditional canoe-building skills. Tikoure collaborated with the authorities and two years later the canoe construction project – known as the Kenu Waan initiative – was established.

“The biggest challenge didn’t involve harvesting timber, it was persuading communities,” he says.

Initiative Accomplishments

The program sought to revive traditional navigation techniques, mentor apprentice constructors and use vessel construction to reinforce traditional heritage and inter-island cooperation.

To date, the team has created a display, issued a volume and supported the building or renovation of approximately thirty vessels – from Goro to the northern shoreline.

Resource Benefits

Different from many other oceanic nations where forest clearing has reduced wood resources, New Caledonia still has proper lumber for constructing major boats.

“There, they often use modern composites. In our location, we can still work with whole trees,” he says. “It makes a significant advantage.”

The boats built under the Kenu Waan Project integrate traditional boat forms with local sailing systems.

Educational Expansion

Since 2024, Tikoure has also been teaching navigation and heritage building techniques at the University of New Caledonia.

“For the first time ever these subjects are included at master’s level. It’s not theory – this is knowledge I’ve experienced. I’ve crossed oceans on these vessels. I’ve experienced profound emotion during these journeys.”

Island Cooperation

He voyaged with the members of the traditional boat, the Pacific vessel that sailed to Tonga for the regional gathering in 2024.

“Throughout the region, including our location, it’s the same movement,” he says. “We’re taking back the sea collectively.”

Political Engagement

This past July, Tikoure visited the French city to introduce a “Kanak vision of the ocean” when he had discussions with Macron and other leaders.

Addressing official and overseas representatives, he advocated for collaborative ocean management based on local practices and community involvement.

“It’s essential to include them – particularly those who live from fishing.”

Current Development

Today, when mariners from throughout the region – from the Fijian islands, the Micronesian region and Aotearoa – come to Lifou, they analyze boats in cooperation, refine the construction and ultimately voyage together.

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

Comprehensive Vision

According to Tikoure, instructing mariners and promoting conservation measures are connected.

“The core concept concerns public engagement: who has the right to navigate marine territories, and what authority governs what happens there? The canoe serve as a method to initiate that discussion.”