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During the autumn month of October on Lifou, a ancient-style canoe was set afloat in the coastal lagoon – a simple gesture that represented a profoundly important moment.

It was the first launch of a traditional canoe on Lifou in living memory, an event that united the island’s three chiefly clans in a uncommon display of togetherness.

Mariner and advocate Aile Tikoure was instrumental in the launch. For the last eight years, he has spearheaded a project that aims to revive ancestral vessel construction in New Caledonia.

Dozens of canoes have been built in an project aimed at reconnecting Indigenous Kanak people with their oceanic traditions. Tikoure explains the boats also help the “start of conversation” around maritime entitlements and environmental policies.

Diplomatic Efforts

This past July, he journeyed to France and had discussions with President Emmanuel Macron, pushing for maritime regulations shaped with and by Indigenous communities that acknowledge their relationship with the sea.

“Forefathers always navigated the ocean. We forgot that knowledge for a period,” Tikoure says. “Now we’re finding it again.”

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

Heritage Restoration

The initiative commenced in 2016, when the New Caledonia government’s culture department was looking at how to reintroduce traditional canoe-building skills. Tikoure partnered with the authorities and following a two-year period the boat building initiative – known as Kenu Waan project – was born.

“The biggest challenge wasn’t cutting down trees, it was convincing people,” he says.

Program Successes

The program sought to revive traditional navigation techniques, mentor apprentice constructors and use boat-building to strengthen traditional heritage and regional collaboration.

Up to now, the organization has produced an exhibition, published a book and supported the creation or repair of approximately thirty vessels – from the far south to Ponerihouen.

Material Advantages

Different from many other oceanic nations where deforestation has diminished lumber availability, New Caledonia still has suitable wood for crafting substantial vessels.

“Elsewhere, they often use modern composites. Locally, we can still carve solid logs,” he explains. “It makes all the difference.”

The canoes constructed under the Kenu Waan Project integrate traditional boat forms with local sailing systems.

Teaching Development

Since 2024, Tikoure has also been instructing seafaring and traditional construction history at the educational institution.

“For the first time ever this knowledge are offered at master’s level. This isn’t academic – these are experiences I’ve personally undertaken. I’ve sailed vast distances on these vessels. I’ve felt overwhelming happiness doing it.”

Pacific Partnerships

He voyaged with the members of the Uto ni Yalo, the Fijian canoe that journeyed to Tonga for the regional gathering in 2024.

“Throughout the region, through various islands, it’s the same movement,” he says. “We’re reclaiming the maritime heritage as a community.”

Governance Efforts

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

Addressing official and foreign officials, he pushed for shared maritime governance based on local practices and participation.

“We must engage these communities – particularly people dependent on marine resources.”

Current Development

Currently, when sailors from throughout the region – from the Fijian islands, Micronesia and New Zealand – visit Lifou, they examine vessels together, modify the design and eventually navigate in unison.

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

Integrated Mission

For Tikoure, educating sailors and advocating environmental policy are linked.

“It’s all about public engagement: who is entitled to travel ocean waters, and who determines which activities take place there? The canoe is a way to start that conversation.”