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This past October on Lifou, a ancient-style canoe was set afloat in the turquoise waters – a simple gesture that signified a highly meaningful moment.

It was the first launch of a ancestral vessel on Lifou in many decades, an occasion that united the island’s primary tribal groups in a uncommon display of togetherness.

Mariner and advocate Aile Tikoure was behind the launch. For the last eight years, he has overseen a project that seeks to restore heritage canoe building in New Caledonia.

Numerous traditional boats have been built in an effort intended to reunite local Kanak populations with their oceanic traditions. Tikoure explains the boats also promote the “start of conversation” around maritime entitlements and ecological regulations.

Global Outreach

In July, he journeyed to France and met President Emmanuel Macron, calling for marine policies created in consultation with and by native populations that honor their relationship with the sea.

“Previous generations always crossed the sea. We abandoned that practice for a time,” Tikoure states. “Currently we’re rediscovering it again.”

Traditional vessels hold deep cultural importance in New Caledonia. They once symbolised travel, trade and family cooperations across islands, but those customs declined under colonisation and religious conversion efforts.

Heritage Restoration

The initiative commenced in 2016, when the New Caledonia heritage ministry was considering how to reintroduce heritage vessel construction methods. Tikoure partnered with the authorities and after two years the vessel restoration program – known as Kenu Waan project – was established.

“The hardest part wasn’t harvesting timber, it was gaining local support,” he explains.

Program Successes

The initiative aimed to restore traditional navigation techniques, train young builders and use vessel construction to reinforce traditional heritage and regional collaboration.

To date, the group has produced an exhibition, published a book and facilitated the construction or restoration of approximately thirty vessels – from the far south to the northeastern coast.

Material Advantages

Different from many other oceanic nations where forest clearing has diminished wood resources, New Caledonia still has appropriate timber for carving large hulls.

“Elsewhere, they often use synthetic materials. Here, we can still craft from natural timber,” he says. “That represents a significant advantage.”

The canoes built under the program merge oceanic vessel shapes with Melanesian rigging.

Academic Integration

Since 2024, Tikoure has also been instructing navigation and heritage building techniques at the local university.

“This marks the initial occasion these subjects are included at advanced education. This isn’t academic – these are experiences I’ve personally undertaken. I’ve crossed oceans on these canoes. I’ve experienced profound emotion doing it.”

Regional Collaboration

He voyaged with the members of the traditional boat, the Pacific vessel that journeyed to Tonga for the oceanic conference in 2024.

“Throughout the region, including our location, it’s the same movement,” he explains. “We’re taking back the sea collectively.”

Political Engagement

During the summer, Tikoure visited Nice, France to share a “Traditional understanding of the ocean” when he had discussions with Macron and government representatives.

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

“We must engage local populations – especially those who live from fishing.”

Contemporary Evolution

Currently, when navigators from throughout the region – from Fiji, the Micronesian region and New Zealand – come to Lifou, they study canoes collectively, modify the design and ultimately voyage together.

“We don’t just copy the ancient designs, we help them develop.”

Integrated Mission

According to Tikoure, teaching navigation and supporting ecological regulations are interrelated.

“It’s all about how we involve people: who is entitled to move across the sea, and who determines which activities take place in these waters? Traditional vessels is a way to initiate that discussion.”