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During the autumn month of October on Lifou, a ancient-style canoe was set afloat in the coastal lagoon – a small act that marked a deeply symbolic moment.

It was the inaugural voyage of a ancestral vessel on Lifou in living memory, an gathering that united the island’s main family lineages in a rare show of unity.

Activist and sailor Aile Tikoure was the driving force behind the launch. For the past eight years, he has spearheaded a program that works to resurrect ancestral vessel construction in New Caledonia.

Numerous traditional boats have been constructed in an initiative intended to reunite Indigenous Kanak people with their oceanic traditions. Tikoure explains the boats also promote the “start of conversation” around maritime entitlements and ecological regulations.

International Advocacy

During the summer month of July, he visited France and conferred with President Emmanuel Macron, calling for marine policies created in consultation with and by native populations that acknowledge their relationship with the sea.

“Previous generations always crossed the sea. We lost that for a time,” Tikoure states. “Today we’re reclaiming it again.”

Traditional vessels hold profound traditional importance in New Caledonia. They once stood for mobility, exchange and clan alliances across islands, but those traditions diminished under colonial rule and religious conversion efforts.

Heritage Restoration

His journey started in 2016, when the New Caledonia government’s culture department was looking at how to bring back heritage vessel construction methods. Tikoure collaborated with the administration and following a two-year period the canoe construction project – known as Project Kenu Waan – was established.

“The biggest challenge wasn’t wood collection, it was gaining local support,” he explains.

Program Successes

The initiative sought to revive ancestral sailing methods, mentor apprentice constructors and use vessel construction to reinforce traditional heritage and regional collaboration.

Up to now, the group has created a display, released a publication and facilitated the construction or restoration of nearly three dozen boats – from the far south to Ponerihouen.

Natural Resources

Different from many other Pacific islands where forest clearing has reduced lumber availability, New Caledonia still has proper lumber for crafting substantial vessels.

“In other places, they often use modern composites. In our location, we can still work with whole trees,” he says. “This creates a significant advantage.”

The canoes constructed under the initiative combine traditional boat forms with regional navigation methods.

Educational Expansion

Beginning this year, Tikoure has also been instructing maritime travel and traditional construction history at the educational institution.

“This marks the initial occasion these subjects are offered at graduate studies. It goes beyond textbooks – these are experiences I’ve personally undertaken. I’ve crossed oceans on these canoes. I’ve felt overwhelming happiness doing it.”

Regional Collaboration

He voyaged with the members of the traditional boat, the Fijian canoe that journeyed to Tonga for the Pacific Islands Forum in 2024.

“From Hawaii to Rapa Nui, from Fiji to here, it’s the same movement,” he states. “We’re taking back the maritime heritage as a community.”

Political Engagement

During the summer, Tikoure travelled to Nice, France to introduce a “Traditional understanding of the marine environment” when he had discussions with Macron and government representatives.

Addressing official and overseas representatives, he argued for cooperative sea policies based on Indigenous traditions and participation.

“It’s essential to include them – most importantly people dependent on marine resources.”

Current Development

Now, when sailors from throughout the region – from Fiji, Micronesia and Aotearoa – visit Lifou, they study canoes in cooperation, adjust the structure and finally sail side by side.

“It’s not about duplicating the ancient designs, we enable their progression.”

Comprehensive Vision

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

“The fundamental issue involves how we involve people: who has the right to navigate marine territories, and who decides what occurs there? Heritage boats is a way to start that conversation.”