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.
Contact
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 dreamcatchers or medicine bag making, which is available to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students. These workshops are hosted by members of the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre. 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 is looking forward to hosting a variety of different events for the upcoming 2023/2024 academic year
Travel Fund
The UPROOT IPSC’s Practicum Travel Fund is designed for students who self-identify as First Nations, Métis, or Inuit. The purpose is to provide Indigenous pharmacy students financial support to travel for practicum.
This fund was established to subsidize the costs as moving cities/towns/communities for practicums can be a significant financial burden to students. Intended expenses include transportation costs (airfare, ferry tickets, gas) and housing-related costs. This subsidy is not meant for students to profit, it is meant to help cover some of the costs associated with travel and lodging while on practicum.
Engagement Fund
The UPROOT IPSC’s Engagement Fund is designed for any pharmacy student. The purpose is to provide Indigenous and non-Indigenous pharmacy students financial support for connecting with Indigenous communities, professional and personal development, and/or participation in Indigenous cultural activities. Outreach projects with the intention of pharmacy education are NOT eligible for this fund and must be applied for separately through the appropriate streams on the E2P Pharmacy Hub.
We want to support students in their personal learning journeys toward reconciliation. Intended expenses include, but are not limited to travel and accommodation costs, program fees, and/or partnership engagement costs (e.g. shared meals, honorariums, etc.). This subsidy is not meant for students to profit, it is meant to help cover some of the costs associated with travel, supplies and logistics while participating in community engagement activities.
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.