Wall sticks by Sask. Party candidate whose remark upset First Nations

Published on October 24, 2011; Published on October 24, 2011

Topics :: Sask. Party , First Nations

REGINA - It's an election campaign where everything seems to be smooth sailing for Brad Wall and the Saskatchewan Party, but comments from one candidate are making waves.

Greg Ottenbreit (AUGHT'-ehn-bright) was responding to a question about sharing resource revenue with First Nations when he said that his aboriginal friends told him handouts or free money can be used for drugs or alcohol.

The Yorkton candidate has apologized, but First Nations leaders say it seems insincere.

Morley Watson, vice-chief with the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, says the comments hurt people and set everybody back from working together.

Wall says Ottenbreit is a good man who understands that what he said was wrong.

Wall opposes sharing resource revenue with First Nations, arguing it belongs to everyone in the province.