Meet The Team
Our TEAM
Dr. Mark S. Dockstator
Principal & Founcer
Dr. Mark S. Dockstator, a member of the Oneida Nation of the Thames, is a nationally acclaimed lawyer, educator, and outspoken advocate for his people. In 1994, Dr. Dockstator was the first First Nations person to graduate with a doctorate in law in Canada. He received his doctorate at the prestigious Osgoode Hall Law School, of York University. His Ph.D dissertation was the foundation for the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples’ final report. As an expert in treaty law, with a deep understanding of our nation’s history, and a passion for change, Dr. Dockstator spent his legal career negotiating for communities across Canada, and fundraising for countless Indigenous initiatives. His insight, wealth of knowledge, and unique voice led him to serve as the founding Chair of the First Nations Statistical Institute and bring an indigenous perspective to boardrooms in a myriad of industries. Dr. Dockstator never lost sight of his passion and went on to become the President of First Nations University of Canada, a first-of-its-kind Indigenous post-secondary institution.
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As well as being the Founder and Principal of Funding Experts, Dr. Dockstator is currently paving the way for future generations, sharing his breadth of knowledge as a professor at Trent University and is the Director of the Chief R. Donald Maracle Indigenous Knowledge Initiative at Queen’s University. From law school, to boardrooms, Dr. Mark Dockstator has spent his life fighting for the rights, economic development, and representation of Indigenous peoples all across Canada.
Dr. Jennifer Dockstator
Vice President & Co-Founder
Dr. Jennifer Dockstator has led a passionate career working for Indigenous initiatives. Jennifer is the Vice President and Senior Research Associate of the Aboriginal Research Institute. Over the years, she has worked on a variety of projects with Trent University. Through Trent, Jennifer served as the Program Director for the National Centre for Collaboration in Indigenous Education (NCCIE), a five-year project highlighting Indigenous education initiatives across the country. In 2022, she was contracted to write an Indigenous Research Guidebook for the university. Before that, Dr. Dockstator spent half a decade working with Eabametoong First Nation, a fly-in community in northern Ontario. She was involved in several community-driven initiatives from organizing and facilitating professional development workshops to co-coordinating a cultural tourism showcase, to name a few.
In 2014, Jennifer received her Ph.D in Environmental Studies at York University. The focus of her dissertation was Sustainability and Indigenous Knowledges. Currently, she is working with the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages on a number of projects that support the Commission's efforts to maintain, strengthen, revitalize and reclaim Indigenous languages across Canada.
Carin Holroyd
Partner
Carin Holroyd is an award-winning author and educator. As an associate professor at the University of Saskatchewan, focusing on political science and business, Carin Holroyd has led a unique and fascinating career working in Japan, Hawaii, New Zealand, and across Canada. Carin’s worldly experience, compassion, and extensive knowledge of economic development and innovation inspired her to launch the Vietnam Education Society, a charity that builds schools and supports education in rural Vietnam.
Ken Coates
Partner
Ken Coates is one of Canada’s most prolific and acclaimed Indigenous authors. As an accomplished historian, researcher, and educator, Ken Coates is one of the Nation’s leading voices when it comes to Indigenous rights. You may recognize Ken Coates, as he is often on television and radio when the news requires an expert on treaties and Indigenous governance. With a passion for entrepreneurship and economic development, he has worked extensively with Indigenous communities all across Canada and beyond. From the Yukon all the way to New Zealand, Mr. Coates’ perspective and successful efforts have positively influenced government policy internationally. As Canada Research Chair in Regional Innovation at University of Saskatchewan, Ken Coates is focusing on future generations and how science and technology can improve the lives of Indigenous communities.
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