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This past October on Lifou, a double-hulled canoe was pushed into the lagoon – a simple gesture that represented a profoundly important moment.

It was the inaugural voyage of a heritage boat on Lifou in many decades, an gathering that brought together the island’s main family lineages in a exceptional demonstration of solidarity.

Activist and sailor Aile Tikoure was behind the launch. For the last eight years, he has led a project that aims to revive heritage canoe building in New Caledonia.

Many heritage vessels have been constructed in an effort intended to reunite local Kanak populations with their oceanic traditions. Tikoure explains the boats also facilitate the “beginning of dialogue” around sea access rights and conservation measures.

Global Outreach

During the summer month of July, he journeyed to France and had discussions with President Emmanuel Macron, calling for maritime regulations created in consultation with and by local tribes that honor their connection to the ocean.

“Forefathers always navigated the ocean. We lost that for a time,” Tikoure explains. “Today we’re reclaiming it again.”

Heritage boats hold significant historical importance in New Caledonia. They once symbolised mobility, interaction and family cooperations across islands, but those customs faded under foreign occupation and outside cultural pressures.

Heritage Restoration

His journey commenced in 2016, when the New Caledonia heritage ministry was looking at how to restore traditional canoe-building skills. Tikoure collaborated with the authorities and after two years the boat building initiative – known as Project Kenu Waan – was launched.

“The most difficult aspect was not wood collection, it was convincing people,” he explains.

Program Successes

The program aimed to restore ancestral sailing methods, train young builders and use canoe-making to enhance traditional heritage and island partnerships.

So far, the group has organized a showcase, released a publication and enabled the creation or repair of nearly three dozen boats – from the southern region to Ponerihouen.

Material Advantages

Different from many other oceanic nations where forest clearing has reduced lumber availability, New Caledonia still has proper lumber for constructing major boats.

“Elsewhere, they often use synthetic materials. In our location, we can still craft from natural timber,” he states. “That represents all the difference.”

The vessels built under the program combine oceanic vessel shapes with Melanesian rigging.

Academic Integration

Since 2024, Tikoure has also been educating students in maritime travel and heritage building techniques at the local university.

“It’s the first time these topics are offered at master’s level. It’s not theory – it’s something I’ve experienced. I’ve sailed vast distances on traditional boats. I’ve felt overwhelming happiness while accomplishing this.”

Island Cooperation

He traveled with the crew of the Uto ni Yalo, the heritage craft that sailed to Tonga for the Pacific Islands Forum in 2024.

“Across the Pacific, through various islands, it’s the same movement,” he states. “We’re restoring the ocean collectively.”

Policy Advocacy

This past July, Tikoure travelled to the French city to introduce a “Indigenous perspective of the marine environment” when he conferred with Macron and other leaders.

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

“We must engage them – especially people dependent on marine resources.”

Current Development

Currently, when navigators from throughout the region – from the Fijian islands, the Micronesian region and New Zealand – arrive in Lifou, they analyze boats in cooperation, modify the design and finally sail side by side.

“It’s not about duplicating the old models, we make them evolve.”

Comprehensive Vision

For Tikoure, instructing mariners and promoting conservation measures are linked.

“The fundamental issue involves public engagement: what permissions exist to navigate marine territories, and what authority governs which activities take place on it? Traditional vessels function as a means to start that conversation.”