Tiaki Consulting
Caring for people, place, and future
Consulting services to protect, conserve, and steward the environment.
About Tiaki Consulting
At Tiaki Consulting, our work is guided by the Māori concept of tiaki – caring for, protecting, and upholding responsibility for people, place, and knowledge systems. Named in honour of a tūpuna (ancestor) of the founder, Tiaki reflects a legacy of guardianship and values that guides all aspects of our work.We support Indigenous-led conservation, environmental health, and community-based stewardship through culturally grounded, relationship-based practice. Our approach bridges Indigenous knowledge and Western science, policy and practice, vision and implementation – with care, integrity, and accountability.We work with Indigenous Nations and organizations, eNGOs, researchers, funders, and government agencies to design and deliver collaborative community-led solutions. We offer services including strategic facilitation and priority setting, reviews and landscape scans, policy translation, program design, collaborative research, and funding support. Our work is guided by the principles of kaitiakitanga (guardianship, stewardship), manaakitanga (care, respect), and whanaungatanga (relationships, connection) uplifting people, places, and future generations.Tiaki Consulting – caring for people, place, and futureTiaki Consulting is the registered business name of Aroha Miller, a sole proprietor based in British Columbia, Canada.
About the Founder
Dr. Aroha Miller is a strategic consultant working at the intersection of coastal stewardship, environmental health, and community well-being. Of Māori descent (Aotearoa/New Zealand), she has lived for more than a decade on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, and has partnered with coastal First Nations for the past five years.With a PhD in Zoology (University of Otago) focused on invasive marine species, postdoctoral experience in wildlife management and ecotoxicology, and a strong foundation in climate resilience and community-led conservation, Aroha brings a holistic lens that connects environment, people, and culture.Over the past 20 years, she has worked across eNGOs, non-profits, academic institutes, Indigenous organizations and governments, and with the provincial government on environmental and public health initiatives. She taught martial arts for over 15 years, taught ESL to teens, and lectured at universities in Aotearoa and Sweden. Her practice is guided by UNDRIP, DRIPA, and reconciliation, with a focus on supporting Indigenous and community-led initiatives to achieve healthy environments and healthy communities.For further information, please see Dr. Miller's LinkedIn profile.
Mission, Vision, Values
Mission: Supporting Indigenous peoples to protect their lands, waters, and communities through holistic, community-led conservation and environmental health that is grounded in Indigenous knowledge and complemented by Western science.Vision: A future where Indigenous peoples lead the stewardship of their lands, waters, and communities through holistic, community-led conservation that honours Indigenous knowledge and fosters respectful collaboration with Western science.Values:
• Mutual Respect – Honour the knowledges and lived experiences of Indigenous peoples
• Trust – Build trust through accountability, transparency, and long-term commitment
• Relationship – Centre meaningful, reciprocal relationships with people, land, and waters
• Honesty – Act with integrity, openness, and humility
• Responsibility – Uphold our duties to communities, ancestors, and future generations
• Collaboration – Support Indigenous-led work and foster respectful partnerships
Services - Helping Communities Turn Challenges Into Action
At Tiaki Consulting, we help communities and organizations understand environmental issues, plan practical actions, and strengthen capacity for long-term stewardship. Complex information becomes clear, actionable guidance that supports real-world decisions.
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NEW OFFERING
FOUNDATIONAL MANAGEMENT TRAINING
Designed to provide practical, hands-on management training for Guardians and stewardship staff, this pilot-tested training is approximately 30 hours duration.
Customized for each delivery.
Covering communication, conflict resolution, basic budgeting and excel, meetings and MS word, time and project management, proposal writing and funder reporting, safe use of AI as a support tool, and so much more. Flexible delivery options. Based on real needs and practical solutions. Contact us to learn more. ________________________________________1. RESEARCH AND ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION
We gather, synthesize, and communicate information so clients can make informed decisions.
INCLUDES:
• Desktop research and literature reviews on environmental health, coastal stewardship, and climate-related topics.
• Writing clear, accessible reports, briefings, and communications for community and stakeholder use.
• Synthesizing scientific, policy, and local knowledge to provide a comprehensive understanding of issues.OUTCOMES: Clients have the information they need, presented in a way that is understandable and actionable.
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2. ACTION PLANNING AND PROGRAM DESIGN
We support organizations in turning ideas into practical plans that reflect community priorities and strategic objectives.
INCLUDES:
• Facilitating workshops or discussions to identify goals and priorities.
• Co-developing actionable, community-led programs and initiatives.
• Aligning plans with governance structures, funding frameworks, or organizational strategies.OUTCOMES: Clear, practical pathways to implement programs and initiatives successfully.
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3. FUNDING PROPOSAL SUPPORT
We help organizations secure resources by developing proposals that reflect their priorities and demonstrate impact.
INCLUDES:
• Identifying appropriate funding opportunities.
• Drafting, reviewing, or refining proposals for clarity, alignment, and effectiveness.
• Advising on strategic approaches to funding for stewardship programs.OUTCOMES: Strong proposals that increase funding success and support long-term program sustainability.
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4. COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH AND REPORTING
We guide research and evaluation processes to ensure they are respectful, rigorous, and useful to communities.
INCLUDES:
• Co-developing research questions, methods, and protocols with organizations and communities.
• Translating research and evaluation findings into accessible reports and briefings.
• Supporting effective data presentation and communication to inform decision-making.OUTCOMES: Research and evaluation provide actionable insights that are accessible and meaningful to communities and partners.
________________________________________Want to talk about your project? Let’s connect.
Current and Past Work
Consultant Program Manager Coastal Stewardship Network, Coastal First Nations - Great Bear Initiative Society, including leading work planning and operational direction, fundraising and funder reporting, people management, overseeing multiple projects, deliverables, timelines, and contractors, and more.Identifying conservation vision and mission and priority coastal and watershed conservation issues with a strategic approach for implementation for Blue Act Marine SocietyProgram Manager and Editor-in-Chief Ocean Watch at Ocean Wise. Examples include Howe Sound 2020, climate change in Canada's oceans, and pollution in SRKWEnvironmental Health and Knowledge Translation Scientist National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health/BC Centre for Disease Control. Examples include work on paralytic shellfish poisoning, and cyanobacteria contaminated waterResearchGate publications.
