FPIC

Founded in 2012 in Gatineau, the Centre for First Peoples Innovation (FPIC) is a key player in the field of social and technological innovation for First Peoples, both in urban settings and community environments. Our mission is to support and promote the identity of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis while fostering authentic and sustainable reconciliation.

Recognized as a charitable organization by the Canada Revenue Agency, the FPIC stands out for its ability to encourage collaboration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, highlighting the unique potential of Indigenous communities.

Our flagship programs

The Centre offers programs aimed at promoting the autonomy and inclusion of Indigenous women and youth. A flagship example is the Onaki FabLab, opened in 2018. This space for creativity and innovation enables young people to reconnect with their cultural roots while developing skills in fields such as digital fabrication, programming, and electronics.

The Onaki FabLab plays a key role in innovative pedagogy, combining culture and technology. It supports a new generation of Indigenous youth in discovering their potential and assists them in both their personal and professional development. Through the learning they acquire there, participants receive not only digital badges developed by the CIPP, but also official recognition from the Cégep de l’Outaouais, which gives concrete value to their skills.

The term FabLab is a contraction of the English words “Fabrication Laboratory”—a maker space concept created by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). It provides users with a variety of computer-controlled machines, such as 3D printers, laser cutters, digital milling machines, and electronic devices. (To learn more about the FabLab universe, click here.)

It is worth noting that the work of the CIPP has been recognized on several occasions, including by Bell Cause for a Cause in 2018, the Social Impact Award from L’Actualité magazine in 2020, the Sun Life Favourite Award in 2020, and the Special Jury Prize at the Youth Recognition Awards for Digital Literacy in 2021. In November 2024, the CIPP was honoured with the Excelor Award in the “Innovation” category by the Gatineau Chamber of Commerce. In 2025, the CIPP was also a finalist in the Economic Equality category of the Thérèse-Casgrain Equality Prize, awarded by the Secrétariat à la condition féminine du Québec; winner of the 2025 Mercuriades Award in the Contribution to Regional and Economic Development – SME category, presented by the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec; and selected by the federal government as one of Canada’s ten leading innovators to take part in the official visit of King Charles III and Queen Camilla in Ottawa.

  • VISION

    To be recognized across Canada as a leading organization that encourages and inspires innovative social initiatives where Indigenous and non-Indigenous people collaborate in a spirit of lasting reconciliation.

  • MISSION

    Through its digital training center, the FPIC provides members of the First Peoples with the opportunity to acquire innovative skills, enabling them to reach their full potential and achieve autonomy, while fostering a strong sense of cultural pride.

  • VALUES

    In pursuing its strategic directions, the FPIC is guided by four core values:

    • Innovation:
      The FPIC seeks to explore new ways of doing things and serves as a vehicle for knowledge transfer.
    • Cultural Pride:
      The FPIC believes that fostering cultural pride is one of the strongest drivers of success and personal growth.
    • Socio-Cultural Inclusivity:
      While the FPIC’s initiatives are designed by and for First Peoples, it firmly believes that openness to others contributes to authentic and lasting reconciliation.
    • Spirit of Cooperation:
      To amplify the impact of its work, the FPIC adopts a partnership approach, collaborating with organizations that share its values and whose missions complement its own.
  • TARGET AUDIENCE

    The First Peoples Innovation Centre works with individuals of all backgrounds who strive for Indigenous social transformation. We welcome anyone who wants to use their skills, knowledge and creativity to serve Indigenous communities or help tackler their challenges.

    The FPIC’s partners are based in both Indigenous communities and urban areas.

    • Indigenous Youth: FPIC initiatives aim to prepare Indigenous youth for successful integration into the Canadian economy by providing them with tools, training, and opportunities tailored to their specific needs.
    • Indigenous Women: The FPIC places particular emphasis on the empowerment and development of Indigenous women by offering them resources and opportunities to strengthen their role within their communities and society at large.
    • Collaborative Partners: Although the primary focus is on Indigenous Peoples, the FPIC also works with non-Indigenous partners, including businesses, political and economic leaders, governments, and other entities, to foster collaboration and maximize the impact of its projects.
    • Urban and Rural Indigenous Communities: The FPIC addresses the needs of Indigenous populations living in both urban and rural settings by developing projects that respond to the unique challenges of these environments.

     

    These groups are at the heart of the FPIC’s efforts to support social and technological innovation, promote authentic reconciliation, and enhance the inclusion and autonomy of Indigenous communities.

 

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