Indigenous Pharmacy Professionals of Canada announces 2026-2027 scholarship recipients

September 16, 2026 (Ottawa): The Indigenous Pharmacy Professionals of Canada (IPPC), in partnership with the Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA), is thrilled to announce the 2025-2026 recipients of the IPPC Indigenous Pharmacy Scholarship.

• IPPC Indigenous Pharmacy Scholarship: Faith Hines, an incoming first-year student in the PharmD program at the University of Waterloo who hopes to draw on her background in education to foster respectful relationships and promote holistic wellness in her community.

• IPPC Indigenous Pharmacy Scholarship by BioScript Solutions: Kelvin Magun, a third-year student in the PharmD program at the University of British Columbia who is an active advocate for improving the health and wellness of Indigenous communities.

• IPPC Indigenous Pharmacy Scholarship by Sobeys National Pharmacy: Jennifer Ross-Ruszkowski, a third-year pharmacy technician student at Saskatchewan Polytechnic who aspires to provide high-quality care to patients and inspire other Métis students to pursue careers in health care.

• IPPC Indigenous Pharmacy Scholarship: Isabella Van Somer Landry, a first-year student in the PharmD program at the University of British Columbia who hopes to improve access to personalized medications and culturally safe care for rural and remote communities.

• IPPC Indigenous Pharmacy Scholarship by Shoppers Drug Mart: Natasha Big Smoke Woitte, a third-year student in the PharmD program at the University of British Columbia who is committed to improving Indigenous health outcomes and uplifting the voices of her peers.

These scholarships support First Nations, Métis and Inuit students enrolled in a PharmD or pharmacy technician program in Canada, helping to reduce financial barriers while strengthening Indigenous representation and leadership in pharmacy. The program aims to help create a profession where Indigenous perspectives, knowledge and leadership help shape the future of pharmacy practice and patient care.

“The Indigenous Pharmacy Scholarship represents Truth and Reconciliation in action,” says Amy Lamb, Executive Director of the Indigenous Pharmacy Professionals of Canada. “First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples are underrepresented in health spaces, with pharmacy practice falling far below the representation in other health careers. This scholarship provides financial relief, supporting the holistic wellbeing and future success of these inspiring recipients and, in turn, their commitment to bringing Indigenous representation, Indigenous health equity and Indigenous worldviews to patient care and the evolution of pharmacy practice.”

For recipients, that support can have an impact well beyond financial assistance. “I feel extremely fortunate to be a recipient of the IPPC Indigenous Pharmacy Scholarship, which has enabled me to focus on my academics and the work I am most passionate about: supporting fellow Indigenous students and advancing Indigenous health initiatives within pharmacy education and care,” says Natasha Big Smoke Woitte, now in the second year of her two-year scholarship. “I am also deeply grateful for the mentorship, encouragement and professional connections the scholarship has provided.”

“Indigenous pharmacy students bring unique experiences, connections and health-care perspectives to the profession, and the impact of their work can extend far beyond the pharmacy,” says Deb Saltmarche, CPhA Chair. “CPhA is proud to support a scholarship program that gives these talented students greater freedom to pursue their professional goals and make a difference in the communities that matter to them.”

IPPC and CPhA are committed to continuing to build the scholarship program with partners who share their goal of creating more opportunities for Indigenous students to pursue careers in pharmacy. IPPC and CPhA thank our 2026–2027 sponsors, Shoppers Drug Mart, BioScript Solutions, Sobeys National Pharmacy and McKesson Canada, for their generous and ongoing support. 

Learn more about the IPPC Indigenous Pharmacy Scholarship and partnership opportunities on our website at www.pharmacists.ca/ippc. The 2027–2028 application process will open in early 2027. 

Related links

• Indigenous Pharmacy Professionals of Canada webpage
• IPPC Indigenous Pharmacy Scholarship webpage

About the Indigenous Pharmacy Professionals of Canada
The Indigenous Pharmacy Professionals of Canada (IPPC) is an Indigenous-led association established to connect and support Indigenous pharmacy professionals and help all pharmacists provide better care to Indigenous patients by creating and promoting pharmacy practice models that respect the safety, equality, strengths and teachings of the Indigenous Peoples of Canada. More information is available at www.indigenouspharmacy.ca.

About the Canadian Pharmacists Association

The Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) is the uniting national voice of pharmacy and the pharmacist profession in Canada. As pharmacists undertake an enhanced role in the delivery of health care services, CPhA ensures that the profession is recognized as a national leader in health care, influencing the policies, programs, budgets and initiatives affecting the profession and the health of Canadians. More information is available at www.pharmacists.ca.

For more information, please contact:

Amy Lamb
Executive Director
Indigenous Pharmacy Professionals of Canada
ceo@indigenouspharmacy.ca

Tyler Gogo
Senior Manager, Communications
Canadian Pharmacists Association
tgogo@pharmacists.ca