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This past October on Lifou, a traditional twin-hulled vessel was set afloat in the lagoon – a simple gesture that signified a deeply symbolic moment.

It was the first launch of a heritage boat on Lifou in living memory, an occasion that assembled the island’s primary tribal groups in a exceptional demonstration of solidarity.

Activist and sailor Aile Tikoure was the driving force behind the launch. For the past eight years, he has overseen a initiative that aims to revive ancestral vessel construction in New Caledonia.

Numerous traditional boats have been crafted in an effort intended to reunite local Kanak populations with their oceanic traditions. Tikoure explains the boats also help the “opening of discussions” around sea access rights and ecological regulations.

Global Outreach

In July, he travelled to France and conferred with President Emmanuel Macron, advocating for marine policies shaped with and by native populations that acknowledge their relationship with the sea.

“Forefathers always navigated the ocean. We abandoned that practice for a period,” Tikoure states. “Currently we’re rediscovering it again.”

Traditional vessels hold profound traditional meaning in New Caledonia. They once represented mobility, trade and family cooperations across islands, but those practices declined under colonisation and missionary influences.

Tradition Revival

The initiative started in 2016, when the New Caledonia heritage ministry was exploring how to bring back 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 wasn’t harvesting timber, it was gaining local support,” he notes.

Program Successes

The initiative worked to bring back ancestral sailing methods, educate new craftspeople and use canoe-making to strengthen cultural identity and regional collaboration.

Up to now, the group has created a display, released a publication and facilitated the building or renovation of around 30 canoes – from the far south to the northeastern coast.

Natural Resources

Unlike many other Pacific islands where tree loss has reduced wood resources, New Caledonia still has appropriate timber for carving large hulls.

“In other places, they often work with synthetic materials. In our location, we can still work with whole trees,” he says. “It makes a significant advantage.”

The boats created under the initiative merge traditional boat forms with Melanesian rigging.

Academic Integration

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

“It’s the first time this knowledge are included at graduate studies. It goes beyond textbooks – these are experiences I’ve experienced. I’ve navigated major waters on traditional boats. I’ve felt overwhelming happiness doing it.”

Pacific Partnerships

Tikoure sailed with the members of the Fijian vessel, the Pacific vessel that sailed to Tonga for the regional gathering in 2024.

“Throughout the region, through various islands, this represents a unified effort,” he explains. “We’re taking back the sea as a community.”

Governance Efforts

During the summer, Tikoure journeyed to the European location to present a “Traditional understanding of the marine environment” when he conferred with Macron and other leaders.

Addressing official and overseas representatives, he pushed for cooperative sea policies based on Indigenous traditions and local engagement.

“It’s essential to include these communities – particularly people dependent on marine resources.”

Contemporary Evolution

Currently, when mariners from various island nations – from Fiji, the Micronesian region and New Zealand – arrive in Lifou, they analyze boats together, modify the design and finally navigate in unison.

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

Integrated Mission

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

“The fundamental issue involves community participation: who has the right to move across the sea, and who determines what occurs on it? Traditional vessels is a way to begin that dialogue.”