ABOUT
Pokiok Associates is an Indigenous-owned company dedicated to empowering Indigenous leadership to thrive in the ocean sector, environmental stewardship, and the healing of Mother Earth.
Our work is grounded in the holistic framework of the Four Directions, inspired by the Medicine Wheel concept, a guiding principle common to many First Nations.
The Four Directions framework has four directions representing our personal health with four elements: spiritual, emotional, physical and mental.
A Four Directions holistic framework is the vision and approach of Pokiok Associates. In every project, partnership and endeavour, we commit to ensuring that all aspects will be included in the planning and execution in order to have balanced outcomes and benefits.
MEET OUR TEAM
Ken Paul - Principle / Owner
Ken Paul is a member of the Wolastoqey First Nation at Neqotkuk, located in the community of Tobique First Nation in New Brunswick, Canada. Ken has served as the National Fisheries Director with the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and Regional Director of Fisheries for the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs. Previously, Ken had worked for 10 years with the Canadian Hydrographic Service as a Hydrographic Engineer and Hydrographer-in-Charge of field-based multibeam ocean mapping, and 10 years with Parks Canada as a Senior Policy Advisor in Atlantic Canada and the Field Unit Superintendent in the Northwest Territories. Ken is a board member of Marine Renewables Canada, the Foundation for Conservation of Atlantic Salmon, and Carbon Removal Canada, He is a former board member of the Ocean Supercluster and the Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy (FORCE). He is currently involved in supporting offshore wind, tidal energy, ocean research, kelp aquaculture, Indigenous marine protected areas, fisheries mentorship for Inuit in Nunavut, and private partnerships. Ken has advocated for First Nations and Indigenous Peoples regionally, nationally and internationally on all aspects relating to fisheries, aquaculture, ocean protection, economic prosperity and governance as they relate to inherent aboriginal and treaty-protected rights, legislation, policy and partnerships. He currently serves as the Lead Fisheries Negotiator for the Wolastoqey Nation of New Brunswick and is also a strategic advisor for Miawpukek Horizon for Indigenous-led Ocean Science Expeditions on the Atlantic coast on board the Oqwatnukewey Eleke'wi'ji'jit (Polar Prince). He has been involved in several projects for the UN International Decade of the Ocean (2021-2030) with the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO supporting Indigenous-led science. Ken has an MBA with St Mary’s University and a BSc from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and is an adjunct professor at Dalhousie’s Marine Affairs department.
Keshia Moffat - Policy & Research Lead
Keshia Moffat is Mi’kmaw from Ugpi’ganjig (Eel River Bar First Nation) in New Brunswick and currently serves as the Policy and Research Lead at Pokiok Associates. She brings over a decade of experience supporting Indigenous-led efforts in fisheries, environmental and land management, and economic development. In her current role, Keshia leads research on fisheries and ocean-related policies, with a focus on areas such as fisheries, aquaculture, marine renewable energy, and Indigenous Knowledge Systems. Her work supports partners through policy analysis, engagement, and the development of tools that reflect Indigenous rights, values, and priorities. Through her previous roles, she has led community-based initiatives in commercial fisheries, salmon conservation, land use planning, climate resilience, and local revenue generation. At the national level, her work has included developing Indigenous-focused land planning resources, supporting training and succession planning in fisheries, and contributing policy analysis to advance Indigenous priorities in fisheries. Keshia is a strong advocate for upholding inherent and treaty-protected rights, supporting community-led projects, and ensuring Indigenous inclusion in the growth and governance of fisheries and oceans economies.
Administration provided by:
COLLABORATION
Pokiok Associates are adept at building the best team for each project we work on and every contract is treated with precision, care and diligence. Professionals with experience and skill are engaged to support our joint goals. When you work with Pokiok Associates, you are working with a group of motivated individuals who have been assembled for your success.