This section documents the failure of Mount Royal University’s Iniskim Centre to advocate for, protect, or support Indigenous students who raised serious and valid concerns.
Despite their positions as institutional allies and cultural stewards, the individuals named below contributed to harm through their silence, dismissal, or refusal to act.
MRU Iniskim Centre Staff
Tori McMillan
Role: Iniskim Centre coordinator or program staff.
Issue: Used phrases like “don’t poke the bear,” downplayed institutional retaliation, and ended support conversations dismissively. No follow-up, no documentation, no protection.
Additional Oversight: Operated in a capacity of internal leadership and gatekeeping, effectively shielding MRU from scrutiny. Provided no recourse or accountability structure when serious harm was raised. Acted as a bottleneck to Indigenous advocacy within the school.
Steve Kootenay-Jobin
Role: Former MRU Indigenous Centre director, now at SAIT.
Issue: Held senior authority during the time these events unfolded. Despite the institutional mandate to support Indigenous students, chose silence and administrative protectionism. Has since moved on without accountability.
Dean Simon
Role: Cultural support or Indigenous liaison staff.
Issue: Framed as a community bridge, but ultimately provided no meaningful support or engagement. Was aware of the situation but participated in silence like the rest of the Iniskim Centre staff.
Melody Xing
Role: MRU financial administrator and Indigenous account manager.
Issue: Managed funds from Indigenous students' bands and exercised her power in ways that directly harmed Tyler Johnston-Kent. Her retaliatory decisions — including interference with funding, tuition processing, and communication — were enabled by the broader silence of the Iniskim Centre staff, who failed to challenge her actions or defend the students affected.