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During the autumn month of October on Lifou, a traditional twin-hulled vessel was pushed into the turquoise waters – a simple gesture that marked a deeply symbolic moment.

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

Mariner and advocate Aile Tikoure was the driving force behind the launch. For the previous eight-year period, he has led a project that works to resurrect heritage canoe building in New Caledonia.

Numerous traditional boats have been constructed in an effort designed to reconnect local Kanak populations with their maritime heritage. Tikoure says the boats also help the “opening of discussions” around maritime entitlements and ecological regulations.

International Advocacy

In July, he visited France and conferred with President Emmanuel Macron, pushing for marine policies shaped with and by Indigenous communities that honor their connection to the ocean.

“Forefathers always navigated the ocean. We lost that for a time,” Tikoure says. “Currently we’re rediscovering it again.”

Traditional vessels hold profound traditional significance in New Caledonia. They once symbolised mobility, exchange and clan alliances across islands, but those practices declined under foreign occupation and missionary influences.

Cultural Reclamation

His journey commenced in 2016, when the New Caledonia government’s culture department was considering how to reintroduce ancestral boat-making techniques. Tikoure worked with the administration and following a two-year period the canoe construction project – known as the Kenu Waan initiative – was born.

“The biggest challenge didn’t involve wood collection, it was gaining local support,” he says.

Program Successes

The initiative sought to revive heritage voyaging practices, train young builders and use boat-building to reinforce cultural identity and island partnerships.

Up to now, the team has created a display, released a publication and enabled the building or renovation of nearly three dozen boats – from the far south to the northern shoreline.

Material Advantages

Unlike many other island territories where tree loss has reduced timber supplies, New Caledonia still has suitable wood for crafting substantial vessels.

“In other places, they often employ marine plywood. Locally, we can still craft from natural timber,” he says. “It makes all the difference.”

The boats created under the initiative combine traditional boat forms with local sailing systems.

Educational Expansion

Starting recently, Tikoure has also been instructing maritime travel and traditional construction history at the local university.

“This marks the initial occasion this knowledge are offered at master’s level. It’s not theory – this is knowledge I’ve personally undertaken. I’ve navigated major waters on these canoes. I’ve felt overwhelming happiness during these journeys.”

Regional Collaboration

Tikoure sailed with the team of the traditional boat, the heritage craft that journeyed to Tonga for the regional gathering in 2024.

“From Hawaii to Rapa Nui, including our location, we’re part of a collective initiative,” he explains. “We’re reclaiming the maritime heritage as a community.”

Governance Efforts

This past July, Tikoure journeyed to the French city to introduce a “Indigenous perspective of the sea” when he met with Macron and additional officials.

Before state and foreign officials, he argued for cooperative sea policies based on Indigenous traditions and community involvement.

“We must engage them – especially fishing communities.”

Modern Adaptation

Currently, when navigators from throughout the region – from Fiji, the Micronesian region and Aotearoa – arrive in Lifou, they examine vessels in cooperation, adjust the structure and ultimately sail side by side.

“It’s not about duplicating the traditional forms, we help them develop.”

Integrated Mission

In his view, educating sailors and promoting conservation measures are connected.

“The fundamental issue involves how we involve people: who is entitled to navigate marine territories, and who decides what happens there? The canoe function as a means to start that conversation.”