Feminine FabLabs: Empowering Indigenous Women
To address the specific needs of Indigenous women and foster their inclusion in the digital economy, the First Peoples Innovation Centre (CIPP) has established Feminine FabLabs in several communities.
A Vision for the Future
These spaces aim to provide Indigenous women with access to new technologies and career opportunities in the digital economy. Additionally, participants can launch their own businesses by leveraging the creations produced at the FabLab.
“Indigenous Women and Digital Skills: The ONAKI Concept” Project
Between November 2021 and March 2024, CIPP implemented the “Indigenous Women and Digital Skills: The ONAKI Concept” project in collaboration with Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE) under the Women’s Program. This initiative achieved the following:
- Identified and addressed systemic barriers limiting Indigenous women’s participation in the FabLab Onaki;
- Enhanced the FabLab Onaki concept to make it more inclusive and accessible.
Bringing Women-Only FabLabs to Life
With financial support from the Secrétariat à la condition féminine du Québec, CIPP successfully launched feminine FabLabs. The main objective is to ensure Indigenous women have equal opportunities for learning, personal development, and employability in a field still predominantly male.
Cohorts were organized in Uashat Mak Mani-Utenam, Pessamit, and Kawawachikamach, bringing together women of all ages eager to learn how to use digital fabrication machines. In addition, entrepreneurship and employability training were provided by our partners, including the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Economic Development Commission (FNQLEDC) and the First Nations Human Resources Development Commission of Quebec (FNHRDCQ).
An Inclusive and Innovative Approach
These initiatives demonstrate CIPP’s commitment to creating spaces where Indigenous women can develop skills, thrive, and play an active role in the digital transformation. feminine FabLabs represent a tangible step toward their economic and social empowerment, reinforcing their role as leaders within their communities and beyond.
