🔗 Share this article

During the autumn month of October on Lifou, a ancient-style canoe was pushed into the coastal lagoon – a seemingly minor event that represented a profoundly important moment.

It was the first launch of a ancestral vessel on Lifou in many decades, an gathering that assembled the island’s main family lineages in a uncommon display of togetherness.

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

Many heritage vessels have been crafted in an effort designed to reconnect local Kanak populations with their maritime heritage. Tikoure says the boats also facilitate the “beginning of dialogue” around sea access rights and conservation measures.

International Advocacy

In July, he visited France and conferred with President Emmanuel Macron, advocating for ocean governance created in consultation with and by Indigenous communities that honor their relationship with the sea.

“Previous generations always traveled by water. We abandoned that practice for a period,” Tikoure explains. “Currently we’re rediscovering it again.”

Traditional vessels hold deep cultural importance in New Caledonia. They once symbolised movement, trade and tribal partnerships across islands, but those traditions declined under colonial rule and outside cultural pressures.

Cultural Reclamation

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

“The most difficult aspect wasn’t harvesting timber, it was convincing people,” he says.

Project Achievements

The Kenu Waan project worked to bring back traditional navigation techniques, educate new craftspeople and use boat-building to reinforce traditional heritage and inter-island cooperation.

So far, the organization has organized a showcase, issued a volume and supported the construction or restoration of around 30 canoes – from the far south to Ponerihouen.

Natural Resources

Unlike many other Pacific islands where deforestation has reduced lumber availability, New Caledonia still has appropriate timber for carving large hulls.

“Elsewhere, they often work with synthetic materials. Here, we can still craft from natural timber,” he states. “That represents a crucial distinction.”

The boats created under the initiative merge Polynesian hull design with local sailing systems.

Educational Expansion

Starting recently, Tikoure has also been educating students in maritime travel and traditional construction history at the educational institution.

“For the first time ever this knowledge are included at advanced education. It goes beyond textbooks – these are experiences I’ve lived. I’ve sailed vast distances on traditional boats. I’ve experienced profound emotion while accomplishing this.”

Pacific Partnerships

He voyaged with the crew of the Uto ni Yalo, the Pacific vessel that traveled to Tonga for the oceanic conference in 2024.

“Across the Pacific, from Fiji to here, this represents a unified effort,” he says. “We’re taking back the maritime heritage as a community.”

Governance Efforts

In July, Tikoure journeyed to the European location to share a “Indigenous perspective of the ocean” when he had discussions with Macron and other leaders.

Before state and international delegates, he pushed for shared maritime governance based on local practices and community involvement.

“We must engage them – most importantly those who live from fishing.”

Current Development

Currently, when sailors from across the Pacific – from the Fijian islands, Micronesia and Aotearoa – come to Lifou, they examine vessels together, refine the construction and eventually voyage together.

“It’s not about duplicating the traditional forms, we enable their progression.”

Integrated Mission

According to Tikoure, educating sailors and promoting conservation measures are interrelated.

“The fundamental issue involves community participation: what permissions exist to navigate marine territories, and what authority governs which activities take place there? Heritage boats function as a means to begin that dialogue.”