By Canadian Press

Minister ‘outraged’ after AFN national chief’s headdress taken from Air Canada cabin

Apr 26, 2024 | 9:05 AM

OTTAWA — The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to “make things right” with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, whose headdress was removed from an airplane cabin.

Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, who leads the advocacy organization, said in a social-media post Thursday her headdress was taken away and put in a garbage bag.

She says the incident left her with hurt feelings, and Air Canada needs a protocol for First Nations peoples so they are not “harassed” when carrying sacred items.

Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Gary Anandasangaree says he is “outraged” that the incident occurred.

But he noted it isn’t the first time ceremonial items have been “treated improperly.”

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In media reports Thursday, Air Canada said that it is reviewing its policies in light of the incident and that it reached out to Woodhouse Nepinak to apologize.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 26, 2024.

The Canadian Press