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In October on Lifou, a ancient-style canoe was set afloat in the lagoon – a small act that marked a highly meaningful moment.

It was the first launch of a ancestral vessel on Lifou in living memory, an gathering that brought together the island’s main family lineages in a uncommon display of togetherness.

Seafarer and campaigner Aile Tikoure was the driving force behind the launch. For the previous eight-year period, he has overseen a program that aims to revive heritage canoe building in New Caledonia.

Many heritage vessels have been crafted in an project intended to reunite Indigenous Kanak people with their maritime heritage. Tikoure states the boats also promote the “start of conversation” around sea access rights and ecological regulations.

International Advocacy

This past July, he journeyed to France and met President Emmanuel Macron, advocating for ocean governance created in consultation with and by Indigenous communities that honor their relationship with the sea.

“Previous generations always navigated the ocean. We lost that for a period,” Tikoure says. “Today we’re reclaiming it again.”

Traditional vessels hold significant historical importance in New Caledonia. They once stood for travel, interaction and tribal partnerships across islands, but those traditions diminished under colonial rule and religious conversion efforts.

Tradition Revival

The initiative began in 2016, when the New Caledonia cultural authorities was considering how to bring back ancestral boat-making techniques. Tikoure partnered with the government and following a two-year period the boat building initiative – known as Kenu Waan project – was launched.

“The hardest part wasn’t harvesting timber, it was gaining local support,” he explains.

Project Achievements

The initiative sought to revive ancestral sailing methods, train young builders and use vessel construction to reinforce traditional heritage and island partnerships.

So far, the team has organized a showcase, published a book and enabled the construction or restoration of around 30 canoes – from the southern region to Ponerihouen.

Resource Benefits

Different from many other island territories where tree loss has limited timber supplies, New Caledonia still has appropriate timber for crafting substantial vessels.

“In other places, they often use synthetic materials. In our location, we can still carve solid logs,” he explains. “This creates a significant advantage.”

The boats built under the program combine Polynesian hull design with Melanesian rigging.

Educational Expansion

Since 2024, Tikoure has also been teaching maritime travel and heritage building techniques at the educational institution.

“It’s the first time these topics are included at master’s level. This isn’t academic – it’s something I’ve experienced. I’ve crossed oceans on these canoes. I’ve cried tears of joy while accomplishing this.”

Pacific Partnerships

He traveled with the crew of the Uto ni Yalo, the Fijian canoe that sailed to Tonga for the oceanic conference in 2024.

“Across the Pacific, from Fiji to here, it’s the same movement,” he states. “We’re reclaiming the sea collectively.”

Governance Efforts

This past July, Tikoure travelled to the European location to introduce a “Traditional understanding of the marine environment” when he conferred with Macron and additional officials.

Before state and international delegates, he argued for cooperative sea policies based on local practices and participation.

“We must engage them – most importantly those who live from fishing.”

Modern Adaptation

Today, when mariners from various island nations – from the Fijian islands, Micronesia and Aotearoa – visit Lifou, they examine vessels together, refine the construction and ultimately navigate in unison.

“We’re not simply replicating the old models, we enable their progression.”

Comprehensive Vision

For Tikoure, teaching navigation and advocating environmental policy are interrelated.

“It’s all about how we involve people: what permissions exist to move across the sea, and who determines what happens there? The canoe serve as a method to initiate that discussion.”