Editorial: Welcome decision to ban faux headdresses at festival

Bass Coast, the popular electronic music festival that moved from Squamish to Merritt last year, took place last weekend. While there might have been an array of interesting outfits on display, there was one accessory that security wasn’t letting through the gates: headdresses.

Part of traditional aboriginal dress, the elaborate and beautiful head pieces have been appropriated by festivalgoers in recent years, spotted at big-name events like Coachella and Bonnaroo and at more niche electronic music festivals. Occasionally, celebrities have gotten themselves in trouble for donning a headdress in a high-profile way. Musician and producer Pharrell, for example, made a public apology recently after he appeared on the cover of ELLE magazine wearing one. Considering Bass Coast takes place on traditional First Nations territory, organizers decided that allowing their attendees to wear headdresses would be insensitive and inappropriate. The festival’s communication manager told CBC that they simply wanted to be good neighbours.

“This has been an ongoing topic of debate within electronic music and within festivals and our core team felt it was time to take a stand,” Paul Brooks said, in the interview. Security would be actively enforcing the ban, organizers added. The move attracted media attention from around the world and drew comments from musicians, including the highly acclaimed aboriginal group, A Tribe Called Red, which was headlining the festival and called the new rule “incredible” on Twitter. Whether or not they received a nudge from First Nations communities, the organizers should be applauded for their progressive and proactive policy.