The First Nations people are calling for Brad Wall to remove Greg Ottenbreit as a member and candidate of the Saskatchewan Party for what the FSIN has termed racially insensitive comments made during the Oct. 19, Yorkton All Candidates Forum.
During the question and answer period of the forum Ottenbreit was asked about First Nations people sharing in provincial natural resources revenue sharing.
Ottenbreit responded by suggesting First Nations friends had told him they didn't agree with hand outs and easy money because it often leads to more drug and alcohol use.
Alyssa Lerat, a First Nations woman who attended the Yorkton Candidates Forum took offence to the statement, and has made Ottenbreit's comment an issue in the election.
"Mr. Ottenbreit said First Nations people use handouts and money that just comes easy for drugs and alcohol and other things. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I felt degraded and was hurt by Mr. Ottenbreit's comments," said Lerat. "I'm calling on Mr. Ottenbreit to step down and resign because he can't represent all people with those kinds of racial views."
Lerat said at the Forum she stood up and asked about the comment.
"I wanted him to know I heard him," she said at a press conference Monday, adding his comments were "blatantly racist."
Lerat said Ottenbreit addressed comments regarding youth in his response to her question but "would not talk about First Nations, or other visible minorities. He tried to downplay his comments."
In an interview with media Monday, Lerat said she felt Ottenbreit "spoke as though First Nations live a different style of life." She said he made it appear all First Nations people use drugs and alcohol, "which is not the case."
Ottenbreit held his own press conference Monday afternoon. He told media that his comments at the forum were not appropriate.
Following the event last Wednesday Ottenbreit said he "sent out some emails," to "some I knew were offended," adding that included one to Lerat who he felt was important to contact immediately to show he was sorry for the inappropriate comments he made.
"I wanted to minimize the hurt as much as I could," said the Saskatchewan Party candidate.
Lerat said she did receive an email from Ottenbriet offering an apology, but said she did not feel better because the apology needed to go to all First Nations people.
Lerat too called for Ottenbreit's resignation, saying he "can't represent all people with these views." She added the email made it "feel like he was trying to keep it quiet."
After the forum Ottenbreit's comments upset a broader cross section of First Nations people. Yorkton Tribal Chief Gilbert Panipekeesick said he was immediately "very concerned about comments that were made."
Panipekeesick said Ottenbreit's words could only hurt First Nations people, especially youth, because they make them "feel bad about themselves again."
Panipekeesick said the comments by the Saskatchewan Party candidate may set back relations between First Nations and non-First Nations people in Yorkton.
"Ottenbreit's comments are an injury to the healing our communities are undergoing," he said.
The potential for Ottenbriet's words being a wedge between First Nations and non-First Nations people was also the focus of words by FSIN Vice-Chief Morley Watson.
"Comments such as these cause the public to form opinion and reinforce negative images of First Nation people. At their worst ignorance is confirmed and as a result First Nation people again must defend themselves against these kind of attacks," he said. "First Nations continue to face personal and systemic racism, the result is often a weakening of identity. A weakened First Nation population can easily be dealt with regarding any socio economic claims. It places First Nations in a disadvantage position, especially dealing with issues like resource and revenue sharing, child welfare and successful education outcomes."
Watson said like other First Nations people he was personally "very disappointed," in Ottenbreit's comments, adding, "a lot of First Nations people are very hurt
"It sets back the good work our organization (the YTC) has done All the people have worked so hard to develop relationships."
As for Ottenbreit being re-elected in the constituency, Panipekeesick said he does believe he should step down as candidate.
"He has shown through his words his attitude toward First Nations people," he said.
Watson said FSIN is calling for Wall to have Ottenbreit step down as a candidate, adding it would send a message that "the indignity of racism must not be tolerated in society today."
Watson said the apology issued by Ottenbreit is not resonating with the FSIN.
"We really fail to see the sincerity of that apology," he said.
Ottenbreit told media Monday he was truly sorry for his words.
"The apology was sincere, and continues to be sincere," he said.
While making a plea to Saskatchewan Party leader Brad Wall to ask Ottenbreit to step down, Watson said as of Monday afternoon FSIN had not heard from Wall on the matter.
Ottenbreit said he does not intend to step down unless asked to do so by his leader.
"Let the people of Yorkton decide if they want me," he said, suggesting they can do that at the ballot box Nov. 7.
Ottenbreit said he did make Wall aware on a visit Thursday "there might be an issue" with what he had said at the forum, but added it was a busy day and no more was said, and he had not heard from Wall on the issue since.
If re-elected Ottenbreit said he was "hopeful" the rift created with First Nations people could be fixed.
"Up to this point I've had quite a good relationship with the Tribal Council," he said, adding overcoming the comments will be "a matter of forgiveness."
.JPG;w=120;h=80;mode=crop)
