About
Our Story
Founded in 2020 by prominent Indigenous business leader JP Gladu, Mokwateh has grown into a trusted consultancy with people, projects, and partners spanning coast to coast. Clients tell us that there is no one quite like Mokwateh and that they wish they’d found us sooner. We take that as the highest compliment and humbly agree - Mokwateh brings an indefinable mix of network, knowledge, and the care factor. We call it business development with heart.
In fact, leadership and collaboration are quite literally in the firm’s DNA. Mokwateh is the Aanishinaabe word for Bear Heart, pronounced moh-kwah-tay. This name was given to our founder, JP Gladu, in ceremony with highly respected Elder Fred Kelly. It symbolizes courage, strength and love. This teaching infuses our approach at Mokwateh, where we bring past, present and future wisdom to the table to deliver business development with heart.
If we respect each other’s values, we will create value. Mokwateh is proud to be guiding the way.
Mokwateh is Indigenous owned, with a team of carefully considered Advisors and Consultants. Our wide network of authentic relationships brings momentum to every project.
People
JP Gladu
Founder and Principal
JP is a prominent Indigenous business leader dedicated to creating innovative partnerships and solutions to reveal equitable opportunities for Indigenous and non-Indigenous business communities. He is a member of Sand Point First Nation located on the eastern shores of Lake Nipigon, Ontario.
JP is on the board of Suncor, Institute for Corporate Directors, Broden Mining, and the First Nations Major Projects Coalition Advisory Centre, among others. He is Chair of Canada's Forest Trust and a member of BHP's International Forum for Corporate Responsibility committee. Previously, he was President and CEO of the Canadian Council of Aboriginal Business (CCAB). JP is also a senior fellow with the Macdonald-Laurier Institute.
Community, culture, and spending time on the land and water energize JP. His unique vantage makes him a sought-after public speaker both nationally and internationally. JP’s achievements are being awarded by the Public Policy Forum as a prestigious 2024 Honouree.
Max Skudra
Partner
Max Skudra brings extensive experience working with Indigenous people, communities, and businesses to Mokwateh. He formerly led the research department for the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB), where he was a key leader in securing the Federal government’s commitment to procure 5% of all goods and services from Indigenous businesses. His work was applied to justify the province of Ontario’s $100 million Indigenous Economic Development Fund (IEDF) and utilized to set corporate strategies for companies such as VIA Rail, Canada Post, Enbridge, and OPG.
Max has worked directly with hundreds of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit communities, devoting his time to building relationships for a true understanding of what it takes to create economic reconciliation.
It’s not just ‘Consulting’. It’s hands-on Business Development with Heart. Ultimately, it comes down to a company of real people making real connections in the hundreds of Indigenous communities where we work.
