Air Canada issues apology to Indigenous leader following confiscation of ceremonial headdress by flight crew

Air Canada issues apology for attempting to store Assembly of First Nations’ national chief’s headdress in cargo hold before flight departure.

In a statement released Thursday, the airline expressed regret to National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak. Woodhouse Nepinak took to social media, recounting that she was compelled to surrender her headdress case, previously in the cabin.

“I refuse to let anyone confiscate my headdress or its case again,” Woodhouse Nepinak asserted in a public Facebook post, preceding a subsequent flight to Montreal.

“Air Canada must establish a protocol respecting First Peoples to prevent the mistreatment of our sacred artifacts. Our headdresses deserve better treatment than being relegated to garbage bags by airlines.”

The national chief explained that airline staff intended to stow her headdress in the cargo hold due to cabin space constraints, leading to a tense confrontation. She alleged that the flight crew threatened her staff, but fellow passengers came to her defense.

According to her account, the headdress case was placed in a plastic bag. After her complaint, the pilot intervened and returned the case to her.

Woodhouse Nepinak mentioned that she typically carries the headdress on her lap or in the overhead compartment.

In response, Air Canada stated in a released statement that they have initiated contact with the national chief to gain a deeper understanding of the situation and extend their apologies for her ordeal.”

“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,” the statement said.

The airline stated that it is internally investigating the incident and will review its policies in light of this regrettable event.