Indigenous Pharmacy Student Collegium

Student-founded and led social club from UPROOT that provides support and outreach for self-identified Indigenous students within the Entry-to-Practice PharmD Program.

UPROOT Indigenous Collegium

The Indigenous Pharmacy Student Collegium (IPSC or the Collegium) is a student-founded and led social club from UPROOT that provides support and outreach for self-identified Indigenous students within the Entry-to-Practice PharmD Program. The IPSC aims to provide self-identified Indigenous students across all four years of the Entry-to-Practice PharmD Program a safe place to engage with others and partake in exclusive Indigenous student-only events as well as host cultural engagement activities available to all students within the faculty.

How to Join

The Collegium is open to all E2P PharmD students who self-identify as Indigenous. Get in contact with us to join.

Engagement Activities

The IPSC’s goal has been to increase awareness of Indigenous culture and provide a safe space for Indigenous students to meet other people in the program. To increase awareness of Indigenous culture, the IPSC hosts a number of crafting workshops, such as weaving dreamcatchers or medicine bag making, which are available to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students. The IPSC also holds a number of events that are exclusive to Indigenous students. These include networking events to build community and cultural immersion trips. During the 2022/2023 academic year, the IPSC hosted two trips to rural/remote First Nations communities. During these trips, members got to interact with community members and staff at the local health centres. Students were also given tours of community and invited for a traditional meal with one of the Hereditary Chiefs. The IPSC executive team is looking forward to hosting a variety of different events for the upcoming 2024/2025 academic year

Follow us on Instagram to stay up to date on on upcoming events!

IPSC Logo: Meaning & Artist

The Logo

The Indigenous Pharmacy Student Collegium (IPSC) logo is created by designer Debra Sparrow—a Musqueam Coast Salish artist. The logo is an amalgamation of traditional Indigenous concepts and contemporary design components.

The IPSC logo is inspired by the original UPROOT logo, drawing from traditional regalia used in healing ceremonies. This logo concentrates on the importance of people and community and focuses on the circular spindle whirl, which represents continuous collaboration and learning.

The Artist

Debra Sparrow, born and raised on the Musqueam Indian Village, is a visual artist, graphic designer, knowledge keeper, and leading figure in the revival of Musqueam Coast Salish weaving.

Sparrow creates art that embodies traditional Musqueam teachings while embracing innovative and contemporary design. Her hope is to educate others about the depths and integrity of Musqueam history through her artwork, activism, and public speaking.