The assumption of a bias has influenced the treatment of this event. We've all been on the Dash 8 and are aware of the cabin size and luggage bin storage constraints. The CBC report states that the complainant was traveling with carryon baggage and the head dress in a carrying case. It is unlikely that the head dress importance was initially identifiable. It seems that this passenger presented as having multiple carryon items and the AC employee assumed that the head dress container was regular carry on. Missing from the story is if the complainant offered to check her other carryon bag instead or expected to take on multiple items. Nor is it specified if the head dress container could even fit in the overhead bin or under a seat,

Putting the head dress in the crew luggage area was not possible (see above) . The only option would be to hold it on a person's lap and we all know how cramped the Dash seating is. How would you like to sit next to someone carrying a box? And what if there was an emergency evacuation required?

I am not being insensitive, but there is an assumption that there was an intended bias against the passenger because of her heritage. Rather, it was most likely the usual failure to communicate and to explain by the AC GA, and such an approach can be easily misinterpreted as disrespectful. I don't think there was any malice intended.