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During the autumn month of October on the island of Lifou, a ancient-style canoe was pushed into the lagoon – a small act that represented a highly meaningful moment.

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

Seafarer and campaigner Aile Tikoure was behind the launch. For the last eight years, he has led a initiative that aims to revive ancestral vessel construction in New Caledonia.

Dozens of canoes have been built in an initiative designed to reconnect Indigenous Kanak people with their oceanic traditions. Tikoure says the boats also promote the “opening of discussions” around ocean rights and environmental policies.

International Advocacy

During the summer month of July, he journeyed to France and had discussions with President Emmanuel Macron, calling for marine policies developed alongside and by Indigenous communities that recognise their connection to the ocean.

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

Heritage boats hold deep cultural importance in New Caledonia. They once represented movement, interaction and clan alliances across islands, but those customs diminished under colonisation and missionary influences.

Cultural Reclamation

His journey commenced in 2016, when the New Caledonia government’s culture department was considering how to restore heritage vessel construction methods. Tikoure collaborated with the authorities and following a two-year period the canoe construction project – known as the Kenu Waan initiative – was launched.

“The hardest part wasn’t cutting down trees, it was convincing people,” he says.

Program Successes

The initiative sought to revive ancestral sailing methods, educate new craftspeople and use boat-building to reinforce traditional heritage and inter-island cooperation.

So far, the team has produced an exhibition, released a publication and facilitated the construction or restoration of approximately thirty vessels – from the southern region to the northeastern coast.

Natural Resources

Unlike many other Pacific islands where tree loss has limited wood resources, New Caledonia still has appropriate timber for crafting substantial vessels.

“In other places, they often use modern composites. Here, we can still work with whole trees,” he states. “It makes a crucial distinction.”

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

Teaching Development

Since 2024, Tikoure has also been teaching seafaring and traditional construction history at the University of New Caledonia.

“For the first time ever this knowledge are taught at master’s level. It’s not theory – it’s something I’ve experienced. I’ve sailed vast distances on traditional boats. I’ve experienced profound emotion doing it.”

Pacific Partnerships

He voyaged with the members of the traditional boat, the Pacific vessel that sailed to Tonga for the Pacific Islands Forum in 2024.

“Throughout the region, through various islands, this represents a unified effort,” he states. “We’re reclaiming the sea collectively.”

Policy Advocacy

In July, Tikoure journeyed to the French city to share 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 Kanak custom and community involvement.

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

Modern Adaptation

Today, when mariners from various island nations – from Fiji, Micronesia and Aotearoa – arrive in Lifou, they examine vessels in cooperation, refine the construction and eventually voyage together.

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

Comprehensive Vision

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

“It’s all about how we involve people: what permissions exist to navigate marine territories, and who determines what occurs there? Traditional vessels is a way to begin that dialogue.”