A band from Vancouver, Massive Scar Era, were traveling to the SXSW music festival to play in the free showcase. Something they have done twice before.
Three people were in the car: Ms. Amr, who is from Egypt and is a permanent resident in Canada, where she has been living for about two years; bass guitarist Dylan Pieter Wijdenes-Charles, who also lives in Burnaby; and violinist Emily Jane Absalom, who lives in Vancouver and was to play in band member Nancy Mounir’s absence. Mr. Wijdenes-Charles and Ms. Absalom were both born in Canada.
They were told they had the wrong Visa, even though they were traveling with one issues by the US Consulate in Vancouver.
Being turned away because one was Muslim isn’t surprising, but what the bassist was told is.
Furthermore, Mr. Wijdenes-Charles, who is First Nations, presented his Indian status card and was told that next time he tries to cross the border he should bring DNA or blood test results to prove he is First Nations, according to Ms. Amr.
WTF???
The Status Card is all you need in Canada to prove you are First Nation. It’s not an easy card to get.
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