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This past October on Lifou island, a ancient-style canoe was pushed into the lagoon – a small act that represented a profoundly important moment.

It was the first launch of a heritage boat on Lifou in living memory, an occasion that brought together the island’s primary tribal groups in a rare show of unity.

Seafarer and campaigner Aile Tikoure was instrumental in the launch. For the previous eight-year period, he has overseen a program that works to resurrect traditional boat making in New Caledonia.

Numerous traditional boats have been built in an initiative designed to reconnect local Kanak populations with their oceanic traditions. Tikoure states the boats also facilitate the “opening of discussions” around ocean rights and conservation measures.

Diplomatic Efforts

During the summer month of July, he journeyed to France and met President Emmanuel Macron, calling for ocean governance developed alongside and by local tribes that acknowledge their relationship with the sea.

“Previous generations always crossed the sea. We forgot that knowledge for a while,” Tikoure explains. “Now we’re finding it again.”

Traditional vessels hold deep cultural importance in New Caledonia. They once stood for travel, interaction and family cooperations across islands, but those customs faded under colonial rule and religious conversion efforts.

Cultural Reclamation

His journey started in 2016, when the New Caledonia heritage ministry was considering how to bring back traditional canoe-building skills. Tikoure collaborated with the authorities and after two years the canoe construction project – known as Kenu Waan project – was launched.

“The hardest part didn’t involve harvesting timber, it was convincing people,” he explains.

Initiative Accomplishments

The Kenu Waan project aimed to restore traditional navigation techniques, mentor apprentice constructors and use canoe-making to enhance traditional heritage and inter-island cooperation.

Up to now, the organization has created a display, published a book and facilitated the construction or restoration of around 30 canoes – from the far south to Ponerihouen.

Natural Resources

Different from many other island territories where deforestation has diminished lumber availability, New Caledonia still has appropriate timber for carving large hulls.

“In other places, they often use modern composites. Locally, we can still work with whole trees,” he explains. “It makes a significant advantage.”

The canoes built under the Kenu Waan Project combine oceanic vessel shapes with regional navigation methods.

Teaching Development

Starting recently, Tikoure has also been instructing navigation and traditional construction history at the University of New Caledonia.

“For the first time ever this knowledge are offered at graduate studies. It goes beyond textbooks – these are experiences I’ve experienced. I’ve crossed oceans on these canoes. I’ve felt overwhelming happiness while accomplishing this.”

Island Cooperation

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

“Across the Pacific, including our location, this represents a unified effort,” he states. “We’re taking back the ocean collectively.”

Political Engagement

During the summer, Tikoure journeyed to the French city to introduce a “Kanak vision of the marine environment” when he had discussions with Macron and other leaders.

In front of government and foreign officials, he pushed for cooperative sea policies based on Indigenous traditions and community involvement.

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

Modern Adaptation

Today, when navigators from across the Pacific – from the Fijian islands, Micronesia and New Zealand – arrive in Lifou, they study canoes in cooperation, modify the design and eventually sail side by side.

“We’re not simply replicating the traditional forms, we enable their progression.”

Holistic Approach

For Tikoure, educating sailors and promoting conservation measures are linked.

“The fundamental issue involves public engagement: who has the right to move across the sea, and what authority governs what occurs in these waters? Traditional vessels serve as a method to start that conversation.”