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In October on Lifou island, a double-hulled canoe was pushed into the coastal lagoon – a seemingly minor event that marked a deeply symbolic moment.

It was the maiden journey of a heritage boat on Lifou in generations, an event that assembled the island’s main family lineages in a exceptional demonstration of solidarity.

Seafarer and campaigner Aile Tikoure was the driving force behind the launch. For the past eight years, he has led a initiative that seeks to restore heritage canoe building in New Caledonia.

Numerous traditional boats have been constructed in an effort designed to reconnect native Kanak communities with their seafaring legacy. Tikoure explains the boats also help the “beginning of dialogue” around sea access rights and environmental policies.

International Advocacy

In July, he travelled to France and conferred with President Emmanuel Macron, calling for ocean governance created in consultation with and by native populations that honor their relationship with the sea.

“Our ancestors always crossed the sea. We lost that for a while,” Tikoure says. “Now we’re finding it again.”

Traditional vessels hold deep cultural significance in New Caledonia. They once symbolised movement, interaction and tribal partnerships across islands, but those traditions diminished under colonisation and missionary influences.

Cultural Reclamation

The initiative commenced in 2016, when the New Caledonia heritage ministry was exploring how to restore traditional canoe-building skills. Tikoure partnered with the administration and two years later the vessel restoration program – known as Kenu Waan project – was born.

“The hardest part wasn’t wood collection, it was gaining local support,” he notes.

Program Successes

The Kenu Waan project sought to revive heritage voyaging practices, educate new craftspeople and use boat-building to reinforce community pride and regional collaboration.

So far, the organization has produced an exhibition, released a publication and facilitated the building or renovation of nearly three dozen boats – from Goro to the northeastern coast.

Resource Benefits

Different from many other Pacific islands where deforestation has reduced wood resources, New Caledonia still has proper lumber for constructing major boats.

“In other places, they often work with synthetic materials. Locally, we can still work with whole trees,” he states. “It makes a crucial distinction.”

The boats created under the Kenu Waan Project merge traditional boat forms with local sailing systems.

Educational Expansion

Beginning this year, Tikoure has also been instructing maritime travel and heritage building techniques at the University of New Caledonia.

“It’s the first time this knowledge are taught at advanced education. It goes beyond textbooks – it’s something I’ve experienced. I’ve sailed vast distances on traditional boats. I’ve felt overwhelming happiness doing it.”

Regional Collaboration

Tikoure sailed with the team of the traditional boat, the heritage craft that journeyed to Tonga for the oceanic conference in 2024.

“Across the Pacific, through various islands, this represents a unified effort,” he explains. “We’re reclaiming the ocean collectively.”

Governance Efforts

In July, Tikoure visited the French city to introduce a “Indigenous perspective of the sea” when he had discussions with Macron and government representatives.

Before state and foreign officials, he advocated for collaborative ocean management based on Indigenous traditions and participation.

“It’s essential to include local populations – most importantly those who live from fishing.”

Modern Adaptation

Today, when navigators from throughout the region – from Fiji, the Micronesian region and New Zealand – visit Lifou, they study canoes in cooperation, adjust the structure and ultimately navigate in unison.

“We’re not simply replicating the traditional forms, we help them develop.”

Holistic Approach

In his view, instructing mariners and promoting conservation measures are interrelated.

“It’s all about community participation: what permissions exist to navigate marine territories, and who determines what occurs there? Heritage boats is a way to start that conversation.”