Céline Auclair Ph.D.
- Director
Executive Director
Céline Auclair, Ph.D., is the Executive Director of the First Peoples Innovation Centre (CIPP) and the lead manager of the FabLab ONAKI, which she co-founded. She holds a doctorate in International Relations from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva and a master’s degree in Regional Development from Université Laval in Québec. Widely recognized for her expertise in capacity building for Indigenous Peoples, Dr. Auclair has dedicated her career to leveraging digital technologies as tools for empowerment and inclusion—particularly for Indigenous youth, women, and men. Her work focuses on designing meaningful professional pathways, fostering digital literacy, and addressing the digital divide that continues to limit access to opportunities. Deeply committed both in practice and in strategic vision, she brings a unique perspective to the sustainable and equitable transformation of Indigenous communities. Céline is fluent in French, English, and Spanish.
Viviane Michel
Director, Relations with First Nations and Inuit
Originally from Uashat mak Mani-Utenam, region on the North Shore of the Saint Lawrence, Viviane Michel, a woman from the Innu nation, has held various positions within her community. She worked as Director of the Innu Nation from 2004 to 2010. Viviane also served as Vice-President from 2010 to 2012 and President from 2012 to 2021 for Quebec Native Women. An advocate against violence against women by training, Viviane held the position of community worker at the Maison Communautaire Missinak with ex-residents, victims of violence in urban areas in Quebec City. Currently employed at the FPIC, Viviane is Director, Relations with First Nations and Inuit. Her role is to establish contacts with communities in order to facilitate access to the training offered within the indigenous FabLabs. Indeed, She works in close collaboration with various government departments, local and provincial elected officials and First Nations communities. In addition to her professional experiences, Viviane received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Quebec in Outaouais. Viviane speaks Innu and French.
Brenda McGregor
Director, Relations with First Nations and Inuit
Brenda McGregor is Algonquin and a proud member of Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg in Quebec. Brenda has 30 years of experience working with First Nations in Canada. During her professional career, she has supported Indigenous organizations to promote individual well-being, First Nations governance, economy and culture. Brenda is proud to contribute to the Centre’s mission where diversity, equity, inclusion, innovation are celebrated and explored. She sees Indigenous FabLabs as an opportunity to bring Indigenous youth together in these inclusive spaces, to help them learn innovative technology, create products of inspired originality to expand career potential and opportunities of these students. Brenda speaks French and English.
Mark Tivnan
Director of Technical Services and Business Development
Mark Tivnan has a diverse background that includes studies in Technology, Administration and Project Management. Mark is a certified PMP, ITIL Expert and Auditor of Quality Management, Service Management and Information Security Management systems with over 25 years of combined work experience in Band Administration and Public Safety. His IT project management and ISO management system background help achieve project success in a systematic and process-driven approach. Mark speaks English and is learning French.
Euloge Placca
Director, Corporate Services
Euloge Placca is a PhD student in financial engineering and has a master’s degree in business administration and management and another master’s degree in accounting. He has worked as an accountant and Project Manager in Togo and China. Euloge speaks English, French, Mandarin and Mina.
Rabiatou Samna Ph.D.
Director of Analysis and Program Elaboration
Rabiatou holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Lyon 2 in France. She has over 8 years’ experience as a university lecturer, teaching statistics, economic policy, public economics, data mining and analysis, transport economics and development project design. Dr. Rabiatou has a strong background in research and program development. She is also an expert in project monitoring and evaluation. Rabiatou uses her economist skills to respond to calls for projects from the various funders, to synchronize the organisation’s activities and to ensure the monitoring and evaluation of all CIPP programs.
Hajar Haddouch
Indigenous FabLabs Senior Manager
Holder of a master’s degree in industrial and logistics engineering and a PhD in Supply Chain Management, Hajar has worked as a lead manufacturing engineer and project manager in the field of vocational training and the automotive and aeronautical manufacturing industry in Morocco. Passionate about technology and the world of FabLabs, Hajar work at CIPP as Indigenous FabLabs Senior Manager. Hajar speaks French, English and Arabic.
- Instructors
Sean Bouthiette
Instructor, Nomad and feminine FabLab Technical Manager
Graduated in Police Foundations from Algonquin College, Sean Bouthiette is Saulteaux First Nation from Tootinaowaziibeeng in the Manitoba region. Eager to help in the Indigenous community he worked as a housing worker at a Indigenous homeless shelter. It was there he would learn about FPIC and Onaki FabLab. Having a passion for technology and helping others, he immediately changed paths and joined the third cohort. Since then, he has been working as an Instructor and is now helping with the Nomad and Feminine FabLabs projects.
Aronhiawakhon Curotte
Instructor
Aronhiawakhon Sean Curotte is from the community of Kahnawake on the south shore of Montreal. All his life, he has had a keen interest in technology, and he is endowed with boundless creativity. He was first a student of the Onaki FabLab before being hired at the end of his program as an assistant instructor. For Aronhiawakhon, working at the Onaki FabLab Onaki like instructor is a great opportunity to pass on his passion, his knowledge acquired at the FabLab and his experiences to young Indigenous in order to help them generate their success. Aronhiawakhon speaks English.
Danasco Chakasum
Instructor
Originally from the Mushkegowuk Cree Nation of James Bay, Ontario, Danasco Chakasum joined Cohort 5 of Onaki FabLab during the COVID 19 pandemic, but health restrictions did not allow her to continue the program. In 2022, she moved to the Gatineau/Ottawa region to join Cohort 8 of the Onaki FabLab. At the end of her program Danasco was hired as an assistant instructor in the fall of 2022, and as a cultural program assistant in early 2023. Currently, in her role as an instructor, Danasco supports the teachings of the Indigenous FabLabs and the participants in their projects by in addition to promoting the program in various remote Indigenous communities. Danasco speaks Cree and English.
Crystal Penosway
Instructor
Crystal Wabigoni Penosway nidijinakazinin is Anicinabe from Kakinwawigak (Long Point First Nation), Kitcisakik and Mitchikinabikok Inik (Barriere Lake). Born in Val-d’or, Crystal moved to Gatineau and completed the Onaki FabLab program in 2022. As an instructor, Crystal travels to communities to teach digital in Indigenous FabLabs. Crystal speaks English and French.
Samuel Pinette Jourdain
Instructor
Originally from the community of Uashat mak Mani-Utenam, Samuel Jourdain Pinette is an instructor at Onaki FabLab. He is passionate about new technologies and does his best to introduce Innu cultural aspects into his creations. Samuel is fluent in Innu, French and English.
Paul Rupert
Instructor
Paul Rupert is a versatile Cree instructor from Chisasibi, QC, known for his creative approach and attention to detail, with a background in technology and agriculture. He has helped participants with diverse projects, ranging from unique designs to cultural CNC art. His ability to understand and translate client needs into visually striking designs sets him apart. Paul draws inspiration from nature, music, and culture.
Yash Lakhani
Instructor, Logistics Officer
Yash Lakhani has a master’s in mechanical engineering from the University of Ottawa. He has multidisciplinary engineering experience in different fields such as manufacturing and manufacturing, design, process management, production, 3D modeling and prototyping. With his knowledge of printing, 3D designs, CNC, laser and automation, Yash joined the Onaki FabLabs an instructor and logistics officer with the aim of contributing to the teaching and education of young Indigenous people. Yash speaks English, Hindi, Gujarati and Sindhi.
Collins Gemandze
Instructor, Onaki FabLab Technical Manager
Collins Gemandze is currently a Masters student in Engineering Management at the University of Ottawa/Telfer School of Management and has a Masters in Electrical and Electronics Power Systems Engineering from the University of Buea, Cameroon. Having great passion and experience in digital fabrication technologies such as Computer Aided Design, 3D printing, CNC milling and Laser engraving which have multidisciplinary possibilities. This sparked the interest to join the First People Innovation Centre as an Instructor to stimulate and support social innovation by combining culture and technology. Collins speaks French, English and Yamba.
ElMehdi Rafik
Instructor
El Mehdi holds a Master’s degree in Computer and Network Engineering, with a specialization in MIAGE (Computer Methods Applied to Business Management), as well as a secondary school diploma in electronics, which enabled him to work in various sectors. He began his professional career in the after-sales service department of SONY in Morocco as a spare parts procurement officer and after-sales stock manager, before returning to IT as a Back-End web developer and IT analyst in a digital agency in Morocco. El Mehdi discovered his first FabLab in 2015 in a TV report titled “Global Sharing,” which focused on the sharing economy, and this concept left a deep impression on him. Nine years later, he joined the FabLab Onaki as an intern, before becoming an instructor. El Mehdi speaks French and Arabic.
Kais Bergaoui
Instructor
Kais is a multidisciplinary engineer with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and a Master’s degree in Electromechanical Engineering. He has extensive experience working on research and development technology projects in North Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, specifically in the fields of water treatment instrumentation, the Internet of Things, home automation, and telehealth. Kais is also a DIY hobbyist who enjoys tinkering with manufacturing and CNC machines. Through his role as an instructor at Onaki FabLab, he aims to share his knowledge and passion for technology with indigenous communities. Kais speaks English, French, and Arabic.
Shrey Makhesana
Instructor
Shrey Makhesana is a results-driven IT professional with over six years of experience in software development, IT consulting, and project management. Skilled in languages like Java, Python, Dart, and more, he consistently delivers high-quality projects on time, surpassing client expectations. With a strong foundation in computer systems, software development methodologies, and project management principles, Shrey brings both technical expertise and strategic insight to every task. Known for his adaptability in fast-paced environments, Shrey excels in team building, problem-solving, and technical analysis. His strong communication skills, combined with expertise in hardware and software installation and user-centric interface design, make him an asset for any project. Shrey’s commitment to excellence and efficiency drives his success in creating impactful solutions and fostering innovation.
- Assistants instructors
- Administration
Chantal Lapratte
Human and Social Relations Manager
Chantal has years of experience working with Indigenous youth and specializes in a holistic approach to helping young people maintain mental, physical, emotional and cultural well-being. She earned a college diploma in the Social Work program at La Cité College and a Bachelor’s degree in counseling at St-Paul University in 2018. Chantal is also registered with OCSWSSW and is fluently bilingual.
Guy Savard
Accounting Manager
Guy Savard studied accounting at Université de Québec à Hull (now the Université du Québec en Outaouais) and worked for over 10 years as a controller at Alliance autochtone du Québec and for over 25 years at a construction company. He has served as treasurer for a sports organization and was vice-president of a foundation dedicated to the well-being of seniors. Guy works for the First Peoples Innovation Centre as an accounting manager. Guy speaks French and is learning English.
Lucero Ramirez
Administrative Assitant and Communications Officer
Lucero Ramirez has an educational background that spans journalism and public administration. With a degree in communication sciences, she has worked as a journalist for various prestigious media outlets in Mexico and Spain.
- Consultants
