Building relationships with Ontario’s Indigenous communities

At Ontario Power Generation, we are committed to building and growing long-term, mutually beneficial working relationships with Indigenous communities near our current and future operations.

Explore how OPG works with Indigenous communities to create innovative partnerships.

In this section
“Ode to the Canoe” by Patrick Hunter, a two-spirit Ojibwe painter, graphic designer and entrepreneur from Red Lake, ON.

Our Reconciliation Action Plan

See how we intend to work in partnership with Indigenous communities, businesses and organizations to advance reconciliation.

Learn more

The Climate Challengers

In 2020, we launched our Climate Change Plan and made a commitment to being a net-zero company by 2040, and create a net-zero economy by 2050. And while these goals are ambitious, they’re not enough on their own. That's where the Climate Challengers come in. Meet the people who have made it their mission to change the fate of our futures for the better.

For more info on OPG's energy podcast, visit climatechallengers.com or check out this episode 👉

EP05 - Chief Whetung and Sean Willy: Indigenous perspectives on cleaner energy

EP05 - Chief Whetung and Sean Willy: Indigenous perspectives on cleaner energy

Andrea is joined by two Indigenous leaders for a fascinating look at the role of Indigenous communities in our journey to net-zero.
See episode

Territorial Acknowledgement

A map of Ontario depicting OPG's regional boundariesOPG respectfully acknowledges that the lands on which its generating stations and other assets are located are within the traditional and treaty territory of many Indigenous communities.

To acknowledge this, is to honour the deep connection that Indigenous peoples have with the land, that they are the original stewards and caretakers of it and that they continue to maintain the responsibility to ensure its health and integrity for generations to come.

As a company, OPG remains committed to developing positive and mutually beneficial relationships with Indigenous communities and peoples across Ontario. We encourage our employees to seek out opportunities to learn more about the important local and national history of Indigenous peoples.

Meet Sue, one of our Indigenous Advisors

OPG’s Indigenous Relations Policy

Our Indigenous Relations group helps to build these relationships in keeping with OPG’s Indigenous Relations Policy, first developed in 2007.

The policy sets out:

  • OPG’s objectives for respecting rights and interests.
  • Rules for developing and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships and partnerships with Indigenous communities.
  • Policies that require engaging in community relations and outreach.
  • Paths to providing capacity-building support, including employment and business contracting opportunities.

Our relationships are developed on a foundation of respect for the languages, customs, cultural institutions and rights of Indigenous communities in Ontario. Our goal is to build and preserve openness, transparency and trust.

Indigenous News
Millwright apprentice Lawrence Wesley, centre, poses with OPG employees David Birtch, Mechanical Technician, left, and Dave Edge, Service Trades Maintainer, right, at OPG's North Bay Work Centre.
Our stories

Indigenous millwright apprentice honing his craft with help of OPG mentors

Across OPG’s operations, Indigenous skilled trades are getting hands-on experience to learn their craft and enrich their careers.

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Eleven Indigenous millwright hopefuls are undertaking the Introduction to Millwrighting program at the Darlington Energy Complex.
Our stories

Introduction to Millwrighting training program welcomes largest class yet to Darlington

Eleven Indigenous candidates are learning about what it takes to become a millwright through the Introduction to Millwrighting program.

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After a career change, Amanda Bailey is working as a millwright apprentice with CanAtom on OPG’s Darlington Refurbishment project.
Our people

Millwright apprentice renews her career passion through OPG’s ION program

Tired of being stuck at a desk all day, Amanda Bailey sought out something different for her career.

Read more
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Indigenous community initiatives

We’re committed to strengthening our relationships with Ontario's Indigenous communities.

Throughout the year, OPG participates in many initiatives as part of this goal.

One way we engage with Indigenous communities is through our Corporate Citizenship Program (CCP), which undertakes grass roots community initiatives/partnerships with organizations located close to our generating facilities. CCP funding focus areas include: education, environment and community initiatives.

Since 2006, OPG has supported Frontier College and the Lt. Governor’s Indigenous Youth Summer Reading Camp Program.

This provincial program helps build reading and computer literacy skills of youth/elementary students living in remote First Nations. The camp curriculum includes reading, writing and computer skill development, storytelling, music, and arts and crafts. The program incorporates traditional culture and learning.

As an extension of our support of the summer reading camp program, OPG staff host “Reading is Cool” events each summer, where OPG employees attend camp for a day and engage in reading, activities and mentoring with the participating campers.

OPG has supported the Little Native Hockey League Tournament (Little NHL) since 2009.

Since the tourney’s inaugural puck drop in the town of Espanola in 1971, the Little NHL event, has grown by leaps and bounds. Today, the event attracts more than 200 teams and 3,000 players, a far cry from the 17 teams that played in the first tournament.
Our support of this initiative highlights the important role sport plays in the development of youth by promoting physical fitness, self-confidence, respect, skill development, teamwork and sportsmanship.

Tournament sponsorship helps demonstrate OPG’s support of its First Nation partner communities, their tradition of hockey, and the development of Indigenous youth through sport.

Elephant Thoughts celebrates Indigenous culture while integrating both traditional and contemporary knowledge. It hosts science camps in communities across Canada, including northern Ontario, with the ultimate goal of empowering students and building science literacy.

Spearheaded by the Friends of Laura Secord community group, the First Nations Peace Monument was unveiled on Oct. 7, 2017, the 254th anniversary of the Royal Proclamation of 1763, which formed the basis of land claims of Indigenous peoples in Canada. The monument stands as a symbol of reconciliation and recognition of the important role First Nations played, and continue to play, in Canada’s history.

Student awards

Building relationships with Indigenous communities also means investing in their young people. We have developed several programs that encourage learning and will help to build a better tomorrow. These include:

  • John Wesley Beaver Memorial Award
  • Confederation College Negahneewin Incentive Award
  • Lakehead University Indigenous Award

For more information, visit our Student Awards page.