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During the autumn month of October on Lifou, a traditional twin-hulled vessel was pushed into the coastal lagoon – a seemingly minor event that signified a deeply symbolic moment.

It was the first launch of a heritage boat on Lifou in living memory, an occasion that united the island’s main family lineages in a exceptional demonstration of solidarity.

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

Numerous traditional boats have been built in an effort aimed at reconnecting Indigenous Kanak people with their maritime heritage. Tikoure states the boats also help the “beginning of dialogue” around sea access rights and ecological regulations.

International Advocacy

During the summer month of July, he visited France and met President Emmanuel Macron, advocating for marine policies shaped with and by native populations that honor their connection to the ocean.

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

Heritage boats hold significant historical importance in New Caledonia. They once symbolised mobility, interaction and clan alliances across islands, but those practices diminished under colonial rule and outside cultural pressures.

Cultural Reclamation

This mission began in 2016, when the New Caledonia cultural authorities was considering how to reintroduce heritage vessel construction methods. Tikoure collaborated with the authorities and two years later the canoe construction project – known as Kenu Waan project – was established.

“The most difficult aspect was not wood collection, it was persuading communities,” he explains.

Project Achievements

The program aimed to restore traditional navigation techniques, train young builders and use boat-building to strengthen cultural identity and island partnerships.

Up to now, the team has organized a showcase, issued a volume and facilitated the creation or repair of nearly three dozen boats – from the southern region to Ponerihouen.

Natural Resources

In contrast to many other Pacific islands where forest clearing has reduced wood resources, New Caledonia still has appropriate timber for constructing major boats.

“In other places, they often employ marine plywood. Locally, we can still work with whole trees,” he explains. “That represents all the difference.”

The canoes built under the initiative combine traditional boat forms with Melanesian rigging.

Teaching Development

Since 2024, Tikoure has also been instructing maritime travel and ancestral craft methods at the local university.

“This marks the initial occasion this knowledge are included at graduate studies. It’s not theory – this is knowledge I’ve experienced. I’ve sailed vast distances on these vessels. I’ve felt overwhelming happiness doing it.”

Regional Collaboration

He traveled with the crew of the Fijian vessel, the Fijian canoe that journeyed to Tonga for the Pacific Islands Forum in 2024.

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

Political Engagement

During the summer, Tikoure visited the European location to introduce a “Traditional understanding of the sea” when he met with Macron and government representatives.

In front of government and foreign officials, he pushed for cooperative sea policies based on Indigenous traditions and community involvement.

“It’s essential to include local populations – especially people dependent on marine resources.”

Current Development

Today, when sailors from throughout the region – from the Fijian islands, the Micronesian region and New Zealand – visit Lifou, they examine vessels collectively, modify the design and ultimately navigate in unison.

“It’s not about duplicating the old models, we help them develop.”

Holistic Approach

According to Tikoure, educating sailors and advocating environmental policy are connected.

“It’s all about public engagement: who is entitled to move across the sea, and who determines which activities take place on it? Heritage boats is a way to start that conversation.”