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During the autumn month of October on Lifou island, a double-hulled canoe was launched into the coastal lagoon – a small act that marked a profoundly important moment.

It was the first launch of a ancestral vessel on Lifou in living memory, an occasion that brought together the island’s primary tribal groups in a rare show of unity.

Seafarer and campaigner Aile Tikoure was behind the launch. For the previous eight-year period, he has spearheaded a project that aims to revive ancestral vessel construction in New Caledonia.

Numerous traditional boats have been built in an initiative aimed at reconnecting local Kanak populations with their seafaring legacy. Tikoure states the boats also facilitate the “opening of discussions” around ocean rights and conservation measures.

Diplomatic Efforts

This past July, he visited France and had discussions with President Emmanuel Macron, calling for maritime regulations developed alongside and by Indigenous communities that recognise their connection to the ocean.

“Previous generations always navigated the ocean. We lost that for a time,” Tikoure says. “Now we’re finding it again.”

Heritage boats hold profound traditional meaning in New Caledonia. They once symbolised travel, trade and family cooperations across islands, but those practices declined under colonial rule and religious conversion efforts.

Heritage Restoration

The initiative started in 2016, when the New Caledonia government’s culture department was considering how to bring back traditional canoe-building skills. Tikoure partnered with the government and two years later the boat building initiative – known as the Kenu Waan initiative – was born.

“The biggest challenge didn’t involve wood collection, it was convincing people,” he says.

Program Successes

The initiative sought to revive traditional navigation techniques, mentor apprentice constructors and use vessel construction to strengthen traditional heritage and regional collaboration.

So far, the organization has produced an exhibition, issued a volume and supported the creation or repair of nearly three dozen boats – from the southern region to the northern shoreline.

Resource Benefits

Different from many other oceanic nations where deforestation has limited wood resources, New Caledonia still has appropriate timber for carving large hulls.

“In other places, they often employ marine plywood. Here, we can still craft from natural timber,” he says. “That represents a significant advantage.”

The canoes built under the initiative merge oceanic vessel shapes with Melanesian rigging.

Educational Expansion

Starting recently, Tikoure has also been instructing seafaring and heritage building techniques at the local university.

“For the first time ever these subjects are offered at advanced education. It goes beyond textbooks – these are experiences I’ve personally undertaken. I’ve crossed oceans on traditional boats. I’ve cried tears of joy while accomplishing this.”

Regional Collaboration

He voyaged with the team of the Fijian vessel, the heritage craft that traveled to Tonga for the oceanic conference in 2024.

“From Hawaii to Rapa Nui, through various islands, it’s the same movement,” he explains. “We’re restoring the maritime heritage collectively.”

Policy Advocacy

This past July, Tikoure visited the European location to introduce a “Indigenous perspective of the ocean” when he conferred with Macron and additional officials.

Addressing official and foreign officials, he advocated for shared maritime governance based on Indigenous traditions and community involvement.

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

Current Development

Currently, when sailors from various island nations – from Fiji, the Micronesian region and Aotearoa – visit Lifou, they study canoes in cooperation, refine the construction and eventually sail side by side.

“It’s not about duplicating the old models, we help them develop.”

Integrated Mission

For Tikoure, teaching navigation and promoting conservation measures are interrelated.

“It’s all about community participation: who is entitled to navigate marine territories, and who decides what occurs in these waters? Traditional vessels is a way to begin that dialogue.”