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During the autumn month of October on the island of Lifou, a traditional twin-hulled vessel was launched into the turquoise waters – a seemingly minor event that signified a highly meaningful moment.

It was the maiden journey of a ancestral vessel on Lifou in many decades, an occasion that assembled the island’s main family lineages in a exceptional demonstration of solidarity.

Mariner and advocate Aile Tikoure was the driving force behind the launch. For the past eight years, he has led a project that works to resurrect ancestral vessel construction in New Caledonia.

Many heritage vessels have been crafted in an initiative intended to reunite Indigenous Kanak people with their oceanic traditions. Tikoure states the boats also facilitate the “beginning of dialogue” around maritime entitlements and conservation measures.

Global Outreach

This past July, he journeyed to France and met President Emmanuel Macron, advocating for maritime regulations created in consultation with and by local tribes that honor their connection to the ocean.

“Forefathers always traveled by water. We forgot that knowledge for a time,” Tikoure explains. “Now we’re finding it again.”

Canoes hold significant historical meaning in New Caledonia. They once represented travel, interaction and family cooperations across islands, but those traditions faded under foreign occupation and missionary influences.

Cultural Reclamation

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

“The hardest part wasn’t wood collection, it was persuading communities,” he notes.

Project Achievements

The program sought to revive heritage voyaging practices, mentor apprentice constructors and use vessel construction to enhance community pride and regional collaboration.

Up to now, the team has created a display, published a book and enabled the building or renovation of approximately thirty vessels – from Goro to the northeastern coast.

Material Advantages

Different from many other oceanic nations where tree loss has reduced timber supplies, New Caledonia still has appropriate timber for constructing major boats.

“Elsewhere, they often employ modern composites. In our location, we can still work with whole trees,” he explains. “That represents a crucial distinction.”

The boats built under the program combine oceanic vessel shapes with local sailing systems.

Teaching Development

Starting recently, Tikoure has also been instructing seafaring and traditional construction history at the educational institution.

“For the first time ever this knowledge are taught at graduate studies. It’s not theory – this is knowledge I’ve lived. I’ve navigated major waters on traditional boats. I’ve felt overwhelming happiness while accomplishing this.”

Island Cooperation

Tikoure sailed with the members of the Uto ni Yalo, the Pacific vessel that sailed to Tonga for the oceanic conference in 2024.

“From Hawaii to Rapa Nui, including our location, this represents a unified effort,” he explains. “We’re reclaiming the maritime heritage together.”

Political Engagement

In July, Tikoure journeyed to Nice, France to present a “Traditional understanding of the sea” when he met with Macron and additional officials.

Addressing official and overseas representatives, he argued for cooperative sea policies based on local practices and community involvement.

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

Modern Adaptation

Today, when navigators from various island nations – from Fiji, Micronesia and New Zealand – arrive in Lifou, they analyze boats collectively, adjust the structure and ultimately navigate in unison.

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

Comprehensive Vision

In his view, teaching navigation and promoting conservation measures are connected.

“The fundamental issue involves how we involve people: what permissions exist to move across the sea, and who determines which activities take place there? Traditional vessels serve as a method to start that conversation.”