Team

Rani Damuluri

Lead Instructor

Rani Damuluri is a Biomedical Engineering Graduate from the University of Ottawa. During her university study period, she was working as General supervisor of Makerspace uOttawa which led her to have avid interest in emerging technologies like 3D printing, CNC machining, Laser engraving, etc. She was so mesmerized by the projects and challenges it had that she wanted to pursue that as her Career and joined Onaki Fablab as Lead instructor. Her role as lead instructor is to plan and conduct workshops along with creating innovative projects in integrating Indigenous art with technology. She aspires to steer FPIC’s work towards progressive sustainable development goals to support UN’s initiative for a better future.

Arthur Defrain

Instructor

Arthur Defrain is a French general engineer. He did all his studies through apprenticeship. Always interested in DIY, his engineering studies allowed him to discover the world of Fab Labs and digital tools. Having always wanted to work in a FabLab after his studies, he tried his chance when he arrived on Canadian soil with the Onaki FabLab as an instructor. He speaks French and English.

Christopher Howard

Instructor

Originally from Red Sucker Lake, Manitoba, Christopher Howard was part of the second cohort of Indigenous youth at FabLab Onaki. He followed this up with an accelerated assistant instructor program, and now helps young students use machines at FabLab Onaki. He speaks English.

Naomie Perrier

Instructor

Born and raised in Ottawa, Naömie Perrier-Francoeur is a first nation Algonquin that is well versed in multimedia arts and crafts. Because of her talent for the arts, her enthusiasm as well as her dedication to learn, she secured a position as an assistant instructor with the Onaki Fablab as well as the Feminin Fablab after participating in the fourth Onaki cohort. She is fluent in both French and English.

Savan Vachhani

Instructor

Savan Vachhani graduated in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Ottawa and even has Masters degree in Business Analytics from iNeuron. During his period of university studies, he worked as a Researcher (Co-op student) at National Research Council of Canada, which led him to take a keen interest in emerging technologies like 3D printing, CNC machining, etc. He was so interested in the projects and the research work that he wanted to continue his career in this line by joining the Onaki FabLab as an instructor. He wants to bring new ideas and innovation into the FabLab with the use of recent technology. He wants to implement one of the programming languages known as ‘Python’ in this program. His role as an instructor was to collaborate with lead instructor to develop and enhance workshops. He even keeps interest in developing new projects by implementing indigenous art with technology. In Future, he would like to bring creative projects in the field of 3D printing, CNC, and Laser Technology.

Alexander Cooper

Assistant-Instructor

Alexander Cooper is part of the Cree First Nations people of the James Bay region in Northern Quebec. Having attended the second cohort of the Onaki FabLab program in November 2018, Alexander successfully completed the program. After the program, Alexander went on to work in the culinary field with a position in the kitchen staff at the Windfall mining project in Northern Quebec from April 2019 to December 2020. Beginning in January 2021, Alexander went on to study Business Management & Entrepreneurship at Algonquin College and is expected to graduate in the summer of 2022. Working part-time as an assistant instructor, Alexander hopes to achieve the commercialization of his cohort project. Alexander speaks English. 

Ty Aupaluktuq-Doxtator

Assistant-Instructor

Ty Aupaluktuq-Doxtator is an Inuk and Oneida youth originally from London, Ontario. He was part of the second cohort of Indigenous youth at FabLab ONAKI, after which he took an accelerated assistant instructor program. Ty helps young students use machines as an assistant instructor. He speaks English.

Jeremy Napash

Assistant-Instructor

Jeremy Napash is a Cree youth originally from Chisasibi, Quebec. He was part of the fifth cohort of Indigenous youth at Onaki FabLab and is now part of the accelerated assistant instructor program. Jeremy now helps young students use machines at Onaki FabLab. He speaks Cree, English, and he is learning French.

Leanne Nottaway

Assistant-Instructor

Kwey nidiznikasiniin, Leanne Animini Nottaway. I’m an Anishnabekwe, mother of two and from Maigan-Ajik, Parc de la Vendreye, Quebec and Barrier Lake.
I’ve worked 2018-2021 with “Wawatay Catering” for a culinary field with a position in the Kitchen Staff cooking Traditional Mijim and inspired to be a Chef.But then, I spontaneously joined the Fifth Cohort of Indigenous youth at Onaki FabLab in January 2021, completed the program and the internship in June 2021 and then became an Assistant Instructor in September 2021. I’ve had opportunities for “Animini Catering” to Cater for two cooking activities and a cooking demo with the participants. Now helps young Participants with the Machines at Onaki FabLab and Nomad. I also speak Algonquin and English.

Rhonda Doxtator

Cultural Facilitator

Kawisaha Rhonda Doxtator is a member of the Turtle clan from the Oneida Nation Of The Thames.  Her name Kawisaha means She Is Carrying Ice.  Although by education, Rhonda is trained within the social work field, she uses her education and cultural background to encourage healing through arts and culture.  Keeping the youth connected through culture is something Rhonda feels is important, and tries to offer back to communities, and to those who wish to learn.

Warren Papatie

Cultural Facilitator

Originally from the Anishinabeg community of Rapid Lake, Warren Papatie has more than five years of experience with cultural facilitation in schools and extensive knowledge of the uses of medicinal plants. He is keenly interested in innovation and new technologies, and his desire to synthesize them with Indigenous culture and ancestral methods is what brought him to the First Peoples Innovation Centre. As a cultural facilitator at the FPIC, Warren is involved with several projects promoting cultural pride. He speaks Algonquin and English.

Marie-Pier Labonté

Project Manager

With a bachelor’s degree in social sciences in international development from the University of Quebec in Outaouais, Marie-Pier was interested during her studies in political science and indigenous rights. After experiencing international cooperation during an internship in Benin, Marie-Pier decided to focus her strengths on social, economic and cultural development in her community. She speaks English and French.

Mark Tivnan

Program Manager for Indigenous FabLabs

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.

Rabiatou Amani

Program Development and Planning Analyst

Doctor in Economic Sciences from the University of Lyon 2 in France, Rabiatou has more than 8 years of experience as a university professor where she teaches statistics, economic policies, public economics, exploitation and analysis data, transport economics and project development. Dr. Rabiatou has extensive experience in the research and program development. She is an expert in project monitoring and evaluation. Since 2019, Dr. Rabiatou has used her skills as an economist to respond to calls for projects from various donors, synchronize the activities of the organization and ensure the follow-up of all CIPP projects in progress.

Euloge Placca

Finance and Human Resources Manager

Euloge Placca 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 officer in Togo and China. He is the Finance and Human Resources Manager at the First Peoples Innovation Centre. Euloge speaks English, French, Mandarin and Mina.

Guy Savard

Accounting Technician

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 technician. He speaks French and he is learning English.