26 Indigenous employers now participate in pension plan expansion
Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan (OTPP) has developed an Indigenous Action Plan that outlines 17 commitments aimed at advancing Indigenous inclusion across Canada.
As the largest single-profession pension plan administrator in Canada, the organization believes it occupies a unique position to play a constructive role in this work.
The plan emerges from years of engagement with Indigenous leaders, plan members and international advocates for reconciliation. OTPP partnered with these groups to create a first-of-its-kind strategy for a Canadian pension plan.
Through the Indigenous Action Plan, OTPP aims to build trusted relationships with Indigenous Peoples and serve as a lasting partner to Indigenous communities.
The commitments are organized across four key pillars: Education and Awareness, Talent Acquisition, Everyday Inclusion, and Impact.
Since teachers form the heart of OTPP's membership, the organization has prioritized understanding and addressing specific barriers and issues for Indigenous members.
The Member Services team has fostered relationships with Indigenous employers spanning from Timmins to Moosonee by asking how OTPP could better serve their needs.
The organization delivered tailored in-person training and educational support based on feedback from Indigenous employers.
This engagement has yielded results: Indigenous employers have increasingly noted the value in working together and recognized the benefits of participating in the plan, prompting more inquiries to join.
As of November 2025, 26 Indigenous employers have been designated to participate in the plan.
Ten of these designations occurred within the last three years, demonstrating growing momentum in OTPP's efforts to support Indigenous employers seeking to join.
Charley Butler, Chief Pension Officer, said, “Advancing Indigenous inclusion is a journey that requires humility, partnership and a genuine commitment to listening and learning.”
Butler added that the Indigenous Action Plan is designed to ensure Indigenous voices inform their work and expressed pride in the relationships being built as they move forward together.
