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During the autumn month of October on Lifou island, a double-hulled canoe was pushed into the coastal lagoon – a simple gesture that marked a deeply symbolic moment.

It was the inaugural voyage of a ancestral vessel on Lifou in generations, an occasion 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 past eight years, he has overseen a program that seeks to restore ancestral vessel construction in New Caledonia.

Many heritage vessels have been built in an project designed to reconnect Indigenous Kanak people with their maritime heritage. Tikoure explains the boats also help the “opening of discussions” around ocean rights and environmental policies.

Global Outreach

In July, he journeyed to France and had discussions with President Emmanuel Macron, pushing for marine policies created in consultation with and by Indigenous communities that acknowledge their relationship with the sea.

“Previous generations always crossed the sea. We forgot that knowledge for a while,” Tikoure says. “Today we’re reclaiming it again.”

Heritage boats hold significant historical significance in New Caledonia. They once represented mobility, trade and family cooperations across islands, but those traditions diminished under colonisation and missionary influences.

Cultural Reclamation

His journey began in 2016, when the New Caledonia cultural authorities was looking at how to reintroduce heritage vessel construction methods. Tikoure collaborated with the authorities and following a two-year period the boat building initiative – known as the Kenu Waan initiative – was born.

“The hardest part wasn’t cutting down trees, it was gaining local support,” he explains.

Project Achievements

The Kenu Waan project worked to bring back heritage voyaging practices, mentor apprentice constructors and use vessel construction to reinforce community pride and regional collaboration.

Up to now, the organization has produced an exhibition, published a book and enabled the construction or restoration of around 30 canoes – from the southern region to Ponerihouen.

Natural Resources

Different from many other oceanic nations where deforestation has diminished wood resources, New Caledonia still has appropriate timber for constructing major boats.

“In other places, they often work with modern composites. Locally, we can still craft from natural timber,” he says. “It makes all the difference.”

The canoes created under the initiative integrate Polynesian hull design with regional navigation methods.

Teaching Development

Beginning this year, Tikoure has also been educating students in navigation and ancestral craft methods at the University of New Caledonia.

“It’s the first time these subjects are included at graduate studies. This isn’t academic – these are experiences I’ve experienced. I’ve navigated major waters on traditional boats. I’ve experienced profound emotion while accomplishing this.”

Regional Collaboration

He voyaged with the members of the Fijian vessel, the Fijian canoe that sailed to Tonga for the Pacific Islands Forum in 2024.

“Across the Pacific, including our location, it’s the same movement,” he says. “We’re restoring the ocean collectively.”

Political Engagement

During the summer, Tikoure visited the European location to share a “Traditional understanding of the ocean” when he met with Macron and additional officials.

Before state and overseas representatives, he argued for collaborative ocean management based on Kanak custom and participation.

“You have to involve them – particularly people dependent on marine resources.”

Modern Adaptation

Now, when navigators from various island nations – from Fiji, the Micronesian region and Aotearoa – come to Lifou, they examine vessels in cooperation, modify the design and eventually navigate in unison.

“We’re not simply replicating the ancient designs, we make them evolve.”

Integrated Mission

In his view, educating sailors and promoting conservation measures are connected.

“The core concept concerns community participation: what permissions exist to travel ocean waters, and who determines what happens on it? Traditional vessels function as a means to initiate that discussion.”