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In October on the island of Lifou, a traditional twin-hulled vessel was pushed into the turquoise waters – a small act that marked a deeply symbolic moment.

It was the first launch of a heritage boat on Lifou in many decades, an gathering that united the island’s primary tribal groups in a exceptional demonstration of solidarity.

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

Dozens of canoes have been built in an project intended to reunite Indigenous Kanak people with their oceanic traditions. Tikoure explains the boats also promote the “beginning of dialogue” around maritime entitlements and conservation measures.

International Advocacy

During the summer month of July, he travelled to France and had discussions with President Emmanuel Macron, calling for maritime regulations shaped with and by Indigenous communities that honor their relationship with the sea.

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

Traditional vessels hold profound traditional meaning in New Caledonia. They once stood for mobility, interaction and tribal partnerships across islands, but those customs declined under colonial rule and missionary influences.

Tradition Revival

The initiative started in 2016, when the New Caledonia government’s culture department was looking at how to reintroduce ancestral boat-making techniques. Tikoure worked with the authorities and two years later the canoe construction project – known as Project Kenu Waan – was launched.

“The most difficult aspect was not wood collection, it was persuading communities,” he notes.

Initiative Accomplishments

The Kenu Waan project worked to bring back ancestral sailing methods, educate new craftspeople and use boat-building to strengthen traditional heritage and island partnerships.

To date, the group has produced an exhibition, published a book and enabled the building or renovation of nearly three dozen boats – from the southern region to Ponerihouen.

Natural Resources

In contrast to many other island territories where forest clearing has limited lumber availability, New Caledonia still has appropriate timber for crafting substantial vessels.

“In other places, they often employ modern composites. In our location, we can still work with whole trees,” he says. “That represents a significant advantage.”

The canoes built under the program integrate Polynesian hull design with Melanesian rigging.

Educational Expansion

Beginning this year, Tikoure has also been teaching navigation and heritage building techniques at the educational institution.

“For the first time ever these topics are taught at graduate studies. It’s not theory – this is knowledge I’ve personally undertaken. I’ve navigated major waters on these canoes. I’ve felt overwhelming happiness while accomplishing this.”

Island Cooperation

He traveled with the team of the Fijian vessel, the Pacific vessel that traveled to Tonga for the oceanic conference in 2024.

“Across the Pacific, including our location, we’re part of a collective initiative,” he explains. “We’re reclaiming the sea collectively.”

Political Engagement

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

Before state and international delegates, he pushed for collaborative ocean management based on Kanak custom and local engagement.

“We must engage local populations – especially those who live from fishing.”

Contemporary Evolution

Currently, when sailors from various island nations – from Fiji, Micronesia and Aotearoa – come to Lifou, they examine vessels together, modify the design and eventually navigate in unison.

“We don’t just copy the old models, we enable their progression.”

Comprehensive Vision

In his view, instructing mariners and advocating environmental policy are linked.

“It’s all about community participation: what permissions exist to travel ocean waters, and who decides what occurs in these waters? Traditional vessels serve as a method to begin that dialogue.”