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Indigenous-Led Plant Medicine Science Program

An 8-month immersive program culminating in the Certificate in Indigenous-Led Research & Experiential Studies in Plant Medicines-  a collaboration between Drug Science UK 

About the Program

The Indigenous-led Psychedelic Science program is a groundbreaking initiative uniting ancestral knowledge with scientific inquiry. Created in collaboration with the Kamëntsá Nation of Colombia and international researchers, this is the first Indigenous-academic certification in Ayahuasca (Yagé) research. It offers a visionary model of intercultural science, rooted in reciprocity, healing, and cultural survival.

 

At its core, this initiative supports language revitalisation, biocultural conservation, and intergenerational leadership, ensuring that the communities who have stewarded sacred plant medicines for generations are also leaders in today’s psychedelic renaissance.

 

We invite partners, philanthropists, researchers, educators, and cultural allies to support this unique convergence of Indigenous wisdom and modern science.

What we offer

Certificate in Ethical & Intercultural Foundations of Indigenous-Led Research​

(Awarded by Drug Science UK in collaboration with OIOC)

Applications for the 2026-2027 cohort close on November 1st.
Please contact info@oioc.co with any inquiries.

Program Overview

Program Format​

Hybrid: Online + 10-day Immersion in Putumayo, Colombia

Schedule: 10:00am- 12:00pm (America/ Bogotá UTC–5)

​Time Zones: Morning sessions for the Americas, afternoon for Europe
Access: All sessions recorded for flexible viewing

This 8-month hybrid certificate provides guided study and experiential learning in the ethics, intercultural methods, and Indigenous-led approaches that shape community-based and plant-knowledge research. Participants gain a solid grounding in ethical collaboration and reciprocal science, learning directly from Indigenous knowledge holders and interdisciplinary scientists.

 

The program blends online coursework, mentorship, and immersive field experiences to create a cohesive and practical learning journey in Indigenous-led science.

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Learning Experience 

The learning journey unfolds through a carefully balanced blend of online study, immersive fieldwork, and reflective mentorship. Through weekly online lectures, discussions, and mentorship sessions, participants engage in an interactive curriculum that integrates case studies, applied research exercises, and intercultural dialogue. These modules are designed to foster continuity, connection, and community-building throughout the eight months of the program.

A 10-day field immersion in Putumayo, Colombia offers direct engagement with Kamëntsá knowledge holders and local researchers, where participants take part in observed ceremonies, ecological learning, and community-based practices. This in-person experience deepens understanding of Indigenous perspectives on health, ecology, and reciprocity.

Participants also develop experiential projects that bridge research and community practice — documenting songs, ceremonies, conservation efforts, and ancestral health frameworks. Guided integration and reflection sessions support each learner in synthesizing personal, scientific, and ancestral insights through dialogue and mentorship.

Throughout the journey, participants receive ongoing support, including extra Q&A office hours offered in alternating time slots and continuous guidance from mentors across both the online and hybrid components. This integrated approach ensures a deeply supported, experiential, and transformative learning experience.

Eligibility & Who This Program is For

​We welcome participants who are committed to ethical, Indigenous-led research and collaborative science. Ideal participants include:

  • Indigenous youth and community members interested in ecological research and leadership

  • Researchers and academics in ethnobotany, ecology, or social sciences

  • Practitioners of plant medicine and traditional healing arts

  • Conservationists and field scientists dedicated to biocultural restoration

  • Activists, educators, and community organizers engaged in decolonial or environmental justice work

  • Allies and funders supporting Indigenous-led initiatives

No formal prerequisites are required, though experience or study in related fields is advantageous.

Practical Details

  • Cohort Size: 20–30 participants per cohort

  • Language: Spanish and English (with translation support as needed)

  • Tuition & Scholarships: Need-based scholarships available to support accessibility

  • Continuing Engagement: Graduates join an active alumni network and mentorship programs

Please Note: This program does not provide professional licensure or authorization to conduct research independently. It equips participants with ethical, cultural, and practical skills to engage in Indigenous-led science in collaboration with community partners.

About the Program
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Why this matters

Why this Matters

Across the world, Indigenous knowledge holders have safeguarded the relationships between people, plants, and place for millennia. Today, that wisdom is essential — not only for the healing of our ecosystems, but for the renewal of scientific and spiritual balance. 

The Indigenous-Led Plant Medicine Science Program creates a bridge between ancestral lineages and modern research practices. By centering Indigenous leadership, ethical reciprocity, and community accountability, the program redefines what it means to study medicine — as an act of respect, remembrance, and repair.

We don’t need to be invited into the future of psychedelic research. We are already leading itin our way

TAITA JUAN 

Program Curriculum

A four-module journey blending Indigenous-led research, field immersion, integration, and community reciprocity.

Module 1: Cosmology, Reciprocity & Research Foundations

Ancestral Knowledge, Intercultural Ethics, and Plants as Teachers This module introduces participants to the cosmological and ethical frameworks that guide Indigenous approaches to health, knowledge, and relationship with the natural world. Through study, reflection, and dialogue with Indigenous knowledge holders, participants learn to recognize plants as teachers and guardians of collective memory, engaging with dieta, ancestral communication, and the ethical principles that underlie all ceremonial and research practices. The module bridges Western scientific ethics with ancestral mandates of harmony and guardianship, cultivating an intercultural understanding of reciprocity, protection, and preparation in the context of Indigenous-led science. 1. Plants as Teachers Understanding plants not as substances but as guides and guardians of collective memory Building relationships with plant intelligence and ecological consciousness 2. Dieta and Allied Plants Bodily and spiritual preparation through dieta and allied plants Learning their language, song, and medicine qualities 3. Ancestral Communication Chants, music, dreams, symbols, and prayers as pathways of transmission Honoring oral and embodied ways of knowing 4. Ancient and Genetic Memory How plant medicine awakens deep memory processes—spiritual and biological Remembering as healing: personal, collective, and ecological restoration 5. Health and Illness in the Indigenous Worldview Understanding imbalance and healing as relational processes Yagé as integral medicine: harmonizing mind, body, and spirit 6. Plural Epistemologies Western scientific ethics ↔ ancestral mandates of harmony and guardianship Intercultural dialogue and the co-creation of ethical knowledge frameworks 7. Protection and Safeguarding Laws, practices, and current efforts to protect ancestral medicine and knowledge Ethics of consent, guardianship, and cultural continuity 8. Preparation as Ceremony Readiness for knowledge that speaks through images, memory, and stillness The researcher’s and participant’s inner preparation as a ceremonial act ~ Outcome Formation of intercultural ethical protocols that integrate dieta, cosmology, and ancestral communication as the foundation for research, collaboration, and reciprocal engagement with Indigenous plant knowledge systems.

Module 2: Integration, Applied Research & Transformation

Ceremony as Research and the Ecology of Collective Healing This immersion provides a direct experience of Yagé as integral medicine, exploring how ceremony, ecology, and community intertwine as living systems of knowledge. Participants engage in observed participation within traditional Yagé rituals, guided reflection with Indigenous leaders, and collaborative learning within the Amazonian landscape. The immersion emphasizes ceremony as a mode of inquiry—where transformation, observation, and dialogue become pathways to understanding health, balance, and relationship. Through ecological awareness and community exchange, students deepen their recognition of the territory as both teacher and healer. 1. Ceremony as Research Observed participation in Yagé rituals as a process of experiential inquiry Guided reflection led by Indigenous knowledge holders and elders 2. Documented Transformations Observation of physical, mental, and emotional shifts: memory, perception, and embodiment Approaches to self- and group documentation within ethical frameworks 3. Ecology of Health The Amazonian territory as a space for knowledge conservation and collective healing Interconnection of environment, community, and spiritual ecology 4. Elements of the Spirit Water, air, fire, and earth as forces of balance and learning Working with elemental symbolism in ceremonial and ecological contexts 5. Community Dialogues Intergenerational circles on medicine, peace, environment, and social healing Collective reflection on reciprocity, coexistence, and the future of Indigenous-led science ~ Outcome Development of an experiential and ecological understanding of Yagé, integrating ceremonial participation, ecological consciousness, and community dialogue as interdependent dimensions of research and healing.

Module 3: Immersion in Yagé, Ecology & Community

Weaving Knowledge into Practice and Social Transformation This culminating module brings together the personal, scientific, and ancestral learnings developed throughout the program. Participants engage in intercultural integration processes, applied research, and community collaboration to translate insight into ethical and transformative action. Guided by principles of reciprocity and guardianship, the module emphasizes knowledge application as ceremony—a living continuation of learning that honors both Indigenous wisdom and contemporary research practices. Through project work, reflection, and co-creation, participants explore how ancestral frameworks can inform new approaches in health, ecology, and education. 1. Intercultural Integration Remote and in-person discussions weaving together personal, scientific, and ancestral perspectives Reflective synthesis of field experiences, mentorship, and self-study 2. Applied Projects Documentation of songs, limpias (cleansing ceremonies), conservation practices, and ceremonial health frameworks Collaborative development of applied research outputs in dialogue with Indigenous mentors 3. Knowledge Guardianship Ethical publication, authorship, and data sovereignty Preventing extractivism through consent-based, community-driven research methodologies 4. Social and Scientific Transformation Applying ancestral principles—harmony, evolution, and guardianship—to reimagine frameworks in health, psychology, and education Building pathways for intercultural collaboration and systemic change 5. Environmental Conservation Practices Yagé cultivation, forest restoration, and biocultural stewardship as acts of planetary healing Ecological reciprocity and the ethics of care in environmental practice ~ Outcome Creation of co-authored articles, reports, and tools applicable in clinical, academic, ecological, and community contexts—embodying the program’s vision of reciprocal, Indigenous-led science as a transformative practice.

Module 4: Certification

From Learning to Action: Sustaining Knowledge, Community, and Global Impact This final module emphasizes long-term engagement, reciprocity, and the translation of experience into educational and societal impact. Participants apply program learnings through active collaboration with Indigenous communities, academic institutions, and international networks. The focus is on sustaining knowledge, fostering cultural and ecological continuity, and creating pathways for future generations. By integrating ceremonial practice, intercultural research, and global dissemination, participants contribute to a living model of science in dialogue with ancestral wisdom. 1. Active Reciprocity Participation in language revitalization, reforestation, and cultural initiatives Engagement in community projects that reinforce mutual respect and sustainability 2. From Experience to Education Presentation of findings and design of curricula for universities and institutions Translating ancestral knowledge into educational frameworks without appropriation 3. Personal and Academic Continuity Long-term integration plans for researchers, communities, and Indigenous youth Strategies for ongoing mentorship, collaboration, and intercultural practice 4. Internationalization Presentation of results at global health and science conferences Recognition through academic and Indigenous certification, fostering broader intercultural dialogue ~ Outcome Formation of sustainable intercultural networks, innovative curricular pathways, and a replicable model of research and education grounded in dialogue with ancestral knowledge—ensuring the longevity and ethical stewardship of Indigenous-led science and community practice.

The Pillars of the Program

Indigenous-led Research

Knowledge sovereignty, ethical protocols, and intercultural co-research.

Ancestral Plant Education

Experiential learning with Yagé and other sacred plants in ecological, ceremonial, and cultural contexts.

Community-based Education

Revitalization of the Kamëntsá language, intergenerational research, and youth leadership development.

Leadership & Advisory Team

Guided by Indigenous knowledge holders and intercultural researchers, our team unites ceremony, science, and community to nurture ethical learning and cross-cultural collaboration.

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Taita Juan Bautista Agreda Chindoy

Spiritual leader, healer, and former Governor; Director of OIOC.

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Mercedes Agreda

Youth Educator & Ethno-Pedagogy Facilitator

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Andrés Juagibioy Escuela

Language revitalization expert and oral historian

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Antonia Narváez

Community storyteller, researcher, and memory keeper.

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Erika Salazar

Program co-founder; coordinates intercultural operations and reciprocity.

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Dr Anne Schlag

Head of Research, Drug Science UK; ensures academic standards.

Arno Addelars, OIOC Indigenous Science Program

Arno Adelaars

Author and Ayahuasca researcher; facilitates cross-cultural dialogue.

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Celina De León

Minister and plant medicine educator with extensive teaching experience.

Your Investment (Program Fee)
Co-create an ethical model of Indigenous-led science and education

Ancestral Corn, Sibundoy, OIOC, Shanayoy

Next Steps 
 

bridge builders into worlds, OIOC and Sc

$10,000 USD

For universities, research institutions, or organizations sponsoring faculty, students, or staff to participate.

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Partnership Tiers

Knowledge & reciprocity partnerships supporting curriculum co-development, publications, and conservation initiatives.

$25,000 – $50,000 USD +

Complete Application

  • Our admissions team carefully evaluates each application.

  • We may reach out for additional details or clarification if needed.

Complete Enrollment & Payment

Program Preparation

  • Receive Your Confirmation

  • Flexible payment plans available

  • Receive travel details and make your arrangements

  • Access your reading materials

Start Program

  • Begin online Learning in March 2026

  • Attend 10-day Retreat  at Shanayoy  from  September 21st

  • Receive certification after successful completion of training

Institutional Seat

Individual Tuition

For independent practitioners and researchers deepening their engagement with Indigenous-led plant medicine scholarship.

$5,000 USD

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Curious about our Indigenous-led Psychedelic Science Certificate Program? Below are answers to some of the key questions about the program

What is the Indigenous-led Science Certificate Program?
An 8-month hybrid program combining online coursework with a 10-day in-country immersion in Putumayo, Colombia. It offers guided study and experiential training in ethics, intercultural methods, and Indigenous-led approaches to plant knowledge and community-based research.

Who is this program intended for?
Designed for scientists, clinicians, psychologists, educators, and graduate students engaged with plant-medicine research, integration, or community partnerships.

What will participants gain from the program?
Participants will gain practical skills in ethical, Indigenous-led research methods and a foundation in community-based and ecological science. Graduates receive a Certificate in Ethical & Intercultural Foundations of Indigenous-Led Research and gain access to ongoing mentorship and a supportive network of Indigenous leaders, researchers, and allies. These outcomes empower participants to engage in collaborative, culturally grounded research and community initiatives.

What is the format of the program?
The program is hybrid: online preparation and integration followed by a 10-day in-country immersion. Online sessions are conducted weekly, with all sessions recorded for flexible access.

What is the schedule for the online sessions?
Online sessions are held from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm America/Bogotá (UTC–5), accommodating both the Americas and Europe.

Is the program bilingual?
Yes, the program is bilingual in Spanish and English, with real-time interpretation during live sessions.
What is the workload and credit guidance?
The program involves approximately 200–240 total hours, including both contact and independent work. This typically maps to 6–8 ECTS or 4–6 US semester credits, subject to institutional conversion.


Is the program accessible?
Yes. All online sessions are recorded for flexible viewing, and real-time interpretation supports bilingual accessibility. Additionally, need-based scholarships are available to support participation and ensure equitable access for all learners.

What makes this program unique?
This program is distinguished by its integration of Indigenous knowledge systems with scientific inquiry, emphasizing reciprocity, cultural survival, and community-led research. It fosters a deep understanding of biocultural conservation and intergenerational leadership.

Is prior experience with plant medicine required?
No. While prior experience can be beneficial, the program is designed to accommodate individuals at various levels of familiarity with plant medicine, focusing on ethical collaboration and intercultural learning.

What certification will I receive upon completion?
Participants will receive a Certificate in Ethical & Intercultural Foundations of Indigenous-Led Research, recognizing their commitment to ethical collaboration and reciprocal science, awarded by Drug Science UK

In Collaboration with

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