Air Canada reviewing policies after removal of national chief’s headdress from cabin

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Air Canada is reviewing its policies after what it called a regrettable incident that involved airline staff removing the headdress of the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations from a plane’s cabin.

Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, who was elected AFN National Chief in December, says she was flying from Montreal to Fredericton on Wednesday when her headdress was taken by airline staff.

Ms. Woodhouse Nepinak detailed the incident on Facebook Thursday and also posted photos. The images show airline staff carrying the headdress off the plane in a plastic bag.

In the Facebook post, the National Chief thanked Canadians on the plane who stood up for her and tried to help.

“Air Canada needs a protocol for First Peoples so that we are not harassed for our sacred items,” she said. “Our headdresses don’t belong in garbage bags by airlines.”

Air Canada said in a statement Thursday evening that it had reached out directly to the National Chief to “better understand and apologize for her experience.”

The airline also said it is following up on the matter internally and Air Canada “understands the importance of accommodating customers with items and symbols of sacred cultural significance, and in the past the chiefs have been able to travel while transporting their headdresses in the cabin.”

It said it will be reviewing its policies as a result of the “regrettable incident to ensure special items such as this, whose significance we appreciate, are able to travel in the cabin with the customer consistently.”

Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez said in a statement that what happened on the flight was unacceptable and the federal government expects Air Canada to “treat Indigenous customers with respect and promote better Indigenous cultural sensitivity.”

After the National Chief posted about what happened to her, First Nations leaders responded immediately with dismay.

Alvin Fiddler, the Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation, said that he was so sorry that she had to experience this and that it was “simply unacceptable.”

“I believe you owe our National Chief an apology,” he later wrote on X, referring to Air Canada. “And please ensure all members of your team are aware and follow all protocols on handling sacred items.”

Perry Bellegarde, a former AFN national chief, issued a statement on Thursday evening saying that this never should have happened.

“If Air Canada is serious about reconciliation with First Nations, it’s essential for the corporation to greatly strengthen their anti-racism training for all personnel from the flight attendants to the CEO,” he said.

“During my time as the chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations and as national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, I travelled very often with my eagle feather headdress in its case and never experienced any difficulties transporting it as carry on luggage. I’d be pleased to advise Air Canada on a good path forward. "

Former justice minister David Lametti also responded to Ms. Woodhouse Nepinak’s post.

“This is shameful. And ridiculous,” the former Member of Parliament wrote.

In a later statement, Mr. Lametti said that ceremonial headdresses are infused with meaning and spirituality.

“It can’t simply be placed in checked luggage,” he said.

“I have been on numerous flights where larger pieces of ordinary luggage were placed safely in the cabin. Their refusal in this case is simply shocking.”