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This past October on the island of Lifou, a ancient-style canoe was pushed into the lagoon – a seemingly minor event that marked a highly meaningful moment.

It was the inaugural voyage of a ancestral vessel on Lifou in generations, an gathering that united the island’s primary tribal groups in a exceptional demonstration of solidarity.

Seafarer and campaigner Aile Tikoure was instrumental in the launch. For the past eight years, he has spearheaded a program that seeks to restore ancestral vessel construction in New Caledonia.

Numerous traditional boats have been built in an effort aimed at reconnecting native Kanak communities with their maritime heritage. Tikoure states the boats also facilitate the “start of conversation” around maritime entitlements and environmental policies.

Global Outreach

This past July, he travelled to France and met President Emmanuel Macron, calling for maritime regulations developed alongside and by Indigenous communities that recognise their maritime heritage.

“Forefathers always navigated the ocean. We abandoned that practice for a while,” Tikoure states. “Now we’re finding it again.”

Traditional vessels hold significant historical meaning in New Caledonia. They once stood for movement, exchange and tribal partnerships across islands, but those customs faded under colonial rule and religious conversion efforts.

Tradition Revival

His journey started in 2016, when the New Caledonia cultural authorities was exploring how to bring back heritage vessel construction methods. Tikoure collaborated with the administration and after two years the boat building initiative – known as Kenu Waan project – was established.

“The most difficult aspect wasn’t cutting down trees, it was gaining local support,” he notes.

Initiative Accomplishments

The Kenu Waan project sought to revive ancestral sailing methods, train young builders and use vessel construction to reinforce community pride and island partnerships.

Up to now, the organization has produced an exhibition, published a book and enabled the creation or repair of around 30 canoes – from the far south to Ponerihouen.

Natural Resources

Different from many other oceanic nations where forest clearing has reduced timber supplies, New Caledonia still has appropriate timber for constructing major boats.

“In other places, they often work with marine plywood. Here, we can still craft from natural timber,” he explains. “It makes all the difference.”

The vessels created under the initiative combine Polynesian hull design with regional navigation methods.

Educational Expansion

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

“For the first time ever this knowledge are taught at advanced education. It goes beyond textbooks – it’s something I’ve lived. I’ve navigated major waters on these canoes. I’ve felt overwhelming happiness doing it.”

Pacific Partnerships

Tikoure sailed with the members of the traditional boat, the Pacific vessel that sailed to Tonga for the oceanic conference in 2024.

“From Hawaii to Rapa Nui, including our location, it’s the same movement,” he explains. “We’re restoring the ocean collectively.”

Political Engagement

This past July, Tikoure visited Nice, France to share a “Indigenous perspective of the sea” when he conferred with Macron and additional officials.

In front of government and overseas representatives, he pushed for shared maritime governance based on Indigenous traditions and community involvement.

“You have to involve local populations – particularly people dependent on marine resources.”

Current Development

Currently, when mariners from throughout the region – from the Fijian islands, the Micronesian region and Aotearoa – visit Lifou, they study canoes in cooperation, adjust the structure and eventually sail side by side.

“We don’t just copy the traditional forms, we make them evolve.”

Holistic Approach

According to Tikoure, instructing mariners and promoting conservation measures are connected.

“It’s all about how we involve people: who has the right to navigate marine territories, and who determines what happens there? The canoe serve as a method to initiate that discussion.”