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In October on the island of Lifou, a traditional twin-hulled vessel was launched into the turquoise waters – a seemingly minor event that marked a deeply symbolic moment.

It was the maiden journey of a heritage boat on Lifou in many decades, an occasion that united the island’s primary tribal groups in a rare show of unity.

Seafarer and campaigner Aile Tikoure was the driving force behind the launch. For the previous eight-year period, he has led a program that aims to revive traditional boat making in New Caledonia.

Dozens of canoes have been constructed in an project aimed at reconnecting Indigenous Kanak people with their seafaring legacy. Tikoure says the boats also help the “opening of discussions” around ocean rights and environmental policies.

Global Outreach

During the summer month of July, he journeyed to France and met President Emmanuel Macron, advocating for ocean governance developed alongside and by local tribes that honor their maritime heritage.

“Our ancestors always navigated the ocean. We abandoned that practice for a while,” Tikoure explains. “Now we’re finding it again.”

Traditional vessels hold significant historical significance in New Caledonia. They once represented mobility, interaction and clan alliances across islands, but those customs faded under foreign occupation and missionary influences.

Cultural Reclamation

His journey began in 2016, when the New Caledonia government’s culture department was looking at how to bring back traditional canoe-building skills. Tikoure collaborated with the authorities and two years later the boat building initiative – known as the Kenu Waan initiative – was born.

“The biggest challenge was not cutting down trees, it was convincing people,” he says.

Initiative Accomplishments

The program aimed to restore traditional navigation techniques, educate new craftspeople and use boat-building to enhance community pride and island partnerships.

Up to now, the team has created a display, published a book and facilitated the creation or repair of nearly three dozen boats – from the far south to the northeastern coast.

Material Advantages

In contrast to many other oceanic nations where forest clearing has limited wood resources, New Caledonia still has proper lumber for constructing major boats.

“In other places, they often use marine plywood. Locally, we can still craft from natural timber,” he states. “It makes a significant advantage.”

The canoes created under the initiative combine oceanic vessel shapes with Melanesian rigging.

Academic Integration

Since 2024, Tikoure has also been instructing maritime travel and ancestral craft methods at the University of New Caledonia.

“This marks the initial occasion this knowledge are included at graduate studies. This isn’t academic – this is knowledge I’ve lived. I’ve crossed oceans on traditional boats. I’ve cried tears of joy during these journeys.”

Pacific Partnerships

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

“From Hawaii to Rapa Nui, through various islands, we’re part of a collective initiative,” he explains. “We’re taking back the sea as a community.”

Political Engagement

During the summer, Tikoure travelled to the French city to share a “Traditional understanding of the sea” when he met with Macron and additional officials.

In front of government and overseas representatives, he pushed for collaborative ocean management based on Indigenous traditions and participation.

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

Contemporary Evolution

Today, when navigators from throughout the region – from the Fijian islands, Micronesia and Aotearoa – visit Lifou, they study canoes together, refine the construction and eventually sail side by side.

“We don’t just copy the ancient designs, we make them evolve.”

Holistic Approach

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

“It’s all about public engagement: who is entitled to travel ocean waters, and what authority governs what happens there? Traditional vessels function as a means to start that conversation.”