Dr. Kirsten Yip

Yip Legacy Award for Indigenous Women

Kirsten Yip was born into a lineage that in 1881, settled in the traditional unceded territory of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-waututh) Nations. Her great-great-grandfather, Yip Sang, once considered the unofficial mayor of Vancouver’s Chinatown, instilled in his family the principles of perseverance, education, and philanthropy - albeit being a man of his culture and time, his scope was largely focused on Chinese men. Four generations later, the spirit of those virtues expanded and were embodied in Kirsten’s pursuit to become a doctor. Despite multiple years of rejections, she persisted until she got into an international medical school, and by the grace of Creator, returned in 2017 for her residency in Family Medicine at St. Paul’s Hospital in downtown Vancouver. 

Still new in her career, knowing one doesn’t have to wait to be “old or rich enough” to be philanthropic, Dr. Yip sought out ways to support Indigenous women’s education, celebrating two main tenants - freedom of choice and sustainability. A woman should be able to choose what she wants to study at whichever institution she wishes based on her interests, passions, and values. Furthermore, a woman deserves consistent and reliable support to sustain the entire duration of an educational journey. Through inventive collaboration, Dr. Yip and Indspire have been able to create these awards in a way that will support Indigenous women’s education in perpetuity. It is Dr. Yip’s hope that these awards carry on for generations upon generations, and that the Yip legacy will continue to grow and expand in the scope of being good news to others.

Level of Study: Any

Indigenous Affiliation: Any

Community/Region: British Columbia