#new-caledonia

#new-caledonia

For the past eight years, he has led a project that aims to revive traditional boat making in New Caledonia, a territory of France in the Pacific ocean. Dozens of canoes have been built in an initiative designed to reconnect Indigenous Kanak people with their maritime heritage. Tikoure says the boats also help the start of conversation around ocean rights and environmental policies.

"This text does not mention the word independence. But it opens up a structured, progressive, legally regulated and politically legitimate path," Tjibaou said.

"We need to find a way out. We haven't spoken to each other for years, since the [independence] referendums. Now we're talking again. Everyone is aware of what's at stake," Ponga said.