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During the autumn month of October on the island of Lifou, a traditional twin-hulled vessel was set afloat in the coastal lagoon – a small act that marked a highly meaningful moment.

It was the inaugural voyage of a heritage boat on Lifou in living memory, an occasion that united the island’s main family lineages in a uncommon display of togetherness.

Mariner and advocate Aile Tikoure was the driving force behind the launch. For the previous eight-year period, he has overseen a program that aims to revive ancestral vessel construction in New Caledonia.

Many heritage vessels have been crafted in an project aimed at reconnecting Indigenous Kanak people with their oceanic traditions. Tikoure says the boats also help the “opening of discussions” around sea access rights and conservation measures.

International Advocacy

During the summer month of July, he visited France and conferred with President Emmanuel Macron, pushing for ocean governance created in consultation with and by native populations that acknowledge their maritime heritage.

“Our ancestors always crossed the sea. We abandoned that practice for a time,” Tikoure explains. “Today we’re reclaiming it again.”

Traditional vessels hold profound traditional significance in New Caledonia. They once represented movement, exchange and tribal partnerships across islands, but those traditions declined under colonisation and outside cultural pressures.

Cultural Reclamation

The initiative started in 2016, when the New Caledonia cultural authorities was exploring how to restore ancestral boat-making techniques. Tikoure collaborated with the administration and after two years the boat building initiative – known as the Kenu Waan initiative – was established.

“The most difficult aspect didn’t involve wood collection, it was persuading communities,” he notes.

Program Successes

The program sought to revive ancestral sailing methods, mentor apprentice constructors and use vessel construction to reinforce traditional heritage and island partnerships.

To date, the group has produced an exhibition, published a book and supported the building or renovation of around 30 canoes – from the southern region to the northern shoreline.

Material Advantages

Unlike many other Pacific islands where forest clearing has limited lumber availability, New Caledonia still has suitable wood for constructing major boats.

“In other places, they often use modern composites. In our location, we can still craft from natural timber,” he states. “This creates a significant advantage.”

The vessels built under the program combine traditional boat forms with regional navigation methods.

Teaching Development

Starting recently, Tikoure has also been educating students in navigation and ancestral craft methods at the educational institution.

“This marks the initial occasion this knowledge are taught at master’s level. It goes beyond textbooks – these are experiences I’ve lived. I’ve crossed oceans on traditional boats. I’ve felt overwhelming happiness while accomplishing this.”

Regional Collaboration

Tikoure sailed with the team of the Uto ni Yalo, the heritage craft that sailed to Tonga for the oceanic conference in 2024.

“Throughout the region, including our location, this represents a unified effort,” he explains. “We’re restoring the maritime heritage as a community.”

Political Engagement

This past July, Tikoure visited the European location to present a “Traditional understanding of the marine environment” when he had discussions with Macron and other leaders.

In front of government and foreign officials, he argued for cooperative sea policies based on Kanak custom and local engagement.

“It’s essential to include these communities – particularly fishing communities.”

Modern Adaptation

Currently, when navigators from across the Pacific – from the Fijian islands, the Micronesian region and New Zealand – visit Lifou, they examine vessels in cooperation, modify the design and finally voyage together.

“It’s not about duplicating the old models, we enable their progression.”

Comprehensive Vision

According to Tikoure, educating sailors and advocating environmental policy are connected.

“It’s all about community participation: who is entitled to move across the sea, and who decides which activities take place there? The canoe is a way to begin that dialogue.”