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During the autumn month of October on Lifou, a double-hulled canoe was launched into the lagoon – a small act that marked a profoundly important moment.

It was the first launch of a heritage boat on Lifou in living memory, an gathering that united the island’s primary tribal groups in a rare show of unity.

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

Dozens of canoes have been constructed in an effort intended to reunite native Kanak communities with their maritime heritage. Tikoure explains the boats also facilitate the “opening of discussions” around ocean rights and environmental policies.

International Advocacy

In July, he visited France and conferred with President Emmanuel Macron, calling for marine policies shaped with and by native populations that acknowledge their maritime heritage.

“Previous generations always navigated the ocean. We forgot that knowledge for a while,” Tikoure explains. “Today we’re reclaiming it again.”

Heritage boats hold profound traditional meaning in New Caledonia. They once represented travel, interaction and family cooperations across islands, but those customs declined under foreign occupation and religious conversion efforts.

Cultural Reclamation

This mission commenced in 2016, when the New Caledonia cultural authorities was exploring how to restore heritage vessel construction methods. Tikoure collaborated with the government and two years later the boat building initiative – known as the Kenu Waan initiative – was launched.

“The biggest challenge wasn’t cutting down trees, it was persuading communities,” he explains.

Initiative Accomplishments

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

To date, the group has created a display, issued a volume and enabled the creation or repair of around 30 canoes – from Goro to Ponerihouen.

Natural Resources

Different from many other island territories where tree loss has reduced wood resources, New Caledonia still has suitable wood for crafting substantial vessels.

“Elsewhere, they often work with marine plywood. In our location, we can still carve solid logs,” he states. “That represents a significant advantage.”

The canoes constructed under the program integrate oceanic vessel shapes with local sailing systems.

Teaching Development

Starting recently, Tikoure has also been teaching maritime travel and ancestral craft methods at the local university.

“It’s the first time this knowledge are offered at graduate studies. This isn’t academic – it’s something I’ve personally undertaken. I’ve navigated major waters on traditional boats. I’ve experienced profound emotion while accomplishing this.”

Pacific Partnerships

He voyaged with the team of the traditional boat, the Pacific vessel that traveled to Tonga for the regional gathering in 2024.

“Across the Pacific, from Fiji to here, it’s the same movement,” he states. “We’re taking back the ocean as a community.”

Policy Advocacy

During the summer, Tikoure travelled to Nice, France to introduce a “Kanak vision of the ocean” when he had discussions with Macron and government representatives.

In front of government and foreign officials, he pushed for shared maritime governance based on local practices and community involvement.

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

Contemporary Evolution

Currently, when navigators from throughout the region – from Fiji, the Micronesian region and New Zealand – arrive in Lifou, they study canoes together, modify the design and finally navigate in unison.

“It’s not about duplicating the old models, we make them evolve.”

Integrated Mission

In his view, instructing mariners and advocating environmental policy are interrelated.

“The fundamental issue involves how we involve people: who has the right to navigate marine territories, and who decides what happens there? Heritage boats serve as a method to start that conversation.”