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During the autumn month of October on Lifou island, a traditional twin-hulled vessel was set afloat in the coastal lagoon – a small act that signified a profoundly important moment.

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

Seafarer and campaigner Aile Tikoure was the driving force behind the launch. For the previous eight-year period, he has spearheaded a project that seeks to restore ancestral vessel construction in New Caledonia.

Dozens of canoes have been constructed in an project intended to reunite Indigenous Kanak people with their oceanic traditions. Tikoure explains the boats also help the “opening of discussions” around ocean rights and ecological regulations.

Global Outreach

In July, he travelled to France and conferred with President Emmanuel Macron, pushing for marine policies created in consultation with and by Indigenous communities that acknowledge their maritime heritage.

“Forefathers always navigated the ocean. We lost that for a time,” Tikoure states. “Now we’re finding it again.”

Heritage boats hold profound traditional meaning in New Caledonia. They once represented movement, trade and tribal partnerships across islands, but those traditions diminished under colonisation and missionary influences.

Tradition Revival

This mission began in 2016, when the New Caledonia cultural authorities was considering how to bring back traditional canoe-building skills. Tikoure worked with the authorities and two years later the canoe construction project – known as Project Kenu Waan – was launched.

“The biggest challenge didn’t involve cutting down trees, it was convincing people,” he explains.

Initiative Accomplishments

The Kenu Waan project worked to bring back traditional navigation techniques, mentor apprentice constructors and use vessel construction to reinforce traditional heritage and inter-island cooperation.

To date, the organization has created a display, released a publication and facilitated the construction or restoration of around 30 canoes – from the southern region to Ponerihouen.

Material Advantages

Unlike many other oceanic nations where tree loss has reduced lumber availability, New Caledonia still has proper lumber for carving large hulls.

“Elsewhere, they often employ marine plywood. Here, we can still work with whole trees,” he explains. “That represents all the difference.”

The vessels constructed under the Kenu Waan Project merge traditional boat forms with regional navigation methods.

Academic Integration

Starting recently, Tikoure has also been educating students in navigation and heritage building techniques at the educational institution.

“This marks the initial occasion these subjects are offered at advanced education. It’s not theory – these are experiences I’ve lived. I’ve sailed vast distances on these vessels. I’ve felt overwhelming happiness doing it.”

Regional Collaboration

Tikoure sailed with the members of the Fijian vessel, the Fijian canoe that traveled to Tonga for the regional gathering in 2024.

“Across the Pacific, including our location, we’re part of a collective initiative,” he explains. “We’re reclaiming the maritime heritage as a community.”

Policy Advocacy

This past July, Tikoure travelled to the European location to share a “Traditional understanding of the sea” when he had discussions with Macron and additional officials.

In front of government and foreign officials, he argued for shared maritime governance based on Indigenous traditions and local engagement.

“It’s essential to include them – especially fishing communities.”

Current Development

Now, when sailors from throughout the region – from Fiji, Micronesia and New Zealand – visit Lifou, they analyze boats together, adjust the structure and ultimately navigate in unison.

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

Holistic Approach

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

“It’s all about how we involve people: who is entitled to move across the sea, and who determines which activities take place in these waters? Traditional vessels serve as a method to start that conversation.”