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During the autumn month of October on the island of Lifou, a ancient-style canoe was set afloat in the coastal lagoon – a simple gesture that marked a deeply symbolic moment.

It was the maiden journey of a traditional canoe on Lifou in many decades, an event that assembled the island’s main family lineages in a exceptional demonstration of solidarity.

Seafarer and campaigner Aile Tikoure was instrumental in the launch. For the last eight years, he has overseen a project that works to resurrect traditional boat making in New Caledonia.

Numerous traditional boats have been crafted in an effort designed to reconnect Indigenous Kanak people with their oceanic traditions. Tikoure explains the boats also promote the “opening of discussions” around ocean rights and conservation measures.

Global Outreach

During the summer month of July, he journeyed to France and conferred with President Emmanuel Macron, calling for marine policies shaped with and by Indigenous communities that acknowledge their maritime heritage.

“Forefathers always crossed the sea. We lost that for a while,” Tikoure states. “Currently we’re rediscovering it again.”

Heritage boats hold deep cultural meaning in New Caledonia. They once symbolised travel, exchange and family cooperations across islands, but those traditions declined under colonisation and outside cultural pressures.

Heritage Restoration

His journey began in 2016, when the New Caledonia heritage ministry was considering how to reintroduce ancestral boat-making techniques. Tikoure worked with the government and following a two-year period the canoe construction project – known as the Kenu Waan initiative – was launched.

“The biggest challenge wasn’t harvesting timber, it was persuading communities,” he explains.

Project Achievements

The initiative aimed to restore ancestral sailing methods, train young builders and use canoe-making to strengthen community pride and island partnerships.

Up to now, the group has created a display, released a publication and enabled the building or renovation of around 30 canoes – from the southern region to the northeastern coast.

Material Advantages

Different from many other oceanic nations where tree loss has reduced wood resources, New Caledonia still has proper lumber for carving large hulls.

“Elsewhere, they often work with modern composites. Here, we can still carve solid logs,” he states. “This creates a significant advantage.”

The canoes constructed under the initiative combine Polynesian hull design with Melanesian rigging.

Teaching Development

Starting recently, Tikoure has also been instructing maritime travel and heritage building techniques at the University of New Caledonia.

“For the first time ever these topics are offered at master’s level. It’s not theory – this is knowledge I’ve personally undertaken. I’ve sailed vast distances on traditional boats. I’ve experienced profound emotion during these journeys.”

Pacific Partnerships

He voyaged with the team of the Uto ni Yalo, the Fijian canoe that journeyed to Tonga for the oceanic conference in 2024.

“From Hawaii to Rapa Nui, through various islands, we’re part of a collective initiative,” he states. “We’re taking back the maritime heritage collectively.”

Political Engagement

This past July, Tikoure journeyed to the French city to present a “Indigenous perspective of the marine environment” when he conferred with Macron and additional officials.

Addressing official and foreign officials, he advocated for cooperative sea policies based on local practices and community involvement.

“It’s essential to include local populations – most importantly people dependent on marine resources.”

Current Development

Now, when sailors from throughout the region – from the Fijian islands, the Micronesian region and Aotearoa – visit Lifou, they analyze boats in cooperation, modify the design and eventually navigate in unison.

“We’re not simply replicating the traditional forms, we make them evolve.”

Comprehensive Vision

In his view, teaching navigation and supporting ecological regulations are connected.

“The fundamental issue involves public engagement: what permissions exist to move across the sea, and what authority governs which activities take place there? The canoe is a way to begin that dialogue.”