Racism and discrimination are not words you expect to suddenly become the centre of a provincial election in Saskatchewan in the year 2011, and yet here in the Yorkton constituency they have become just that.
Saskatchewan Party candidate Greg Ottenbreit has found himself in the eye of the political storm after commenting at the All Candidate Forum in Yorkton last Wednesday that resource revenues flowing to First Nations people could end up being used for drugs and alcohol.
The comments angered First Nations people and Monday representatives of both the Yorkton Tribal Council and the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations calling on Saskatchewan Party leader Brad Wall to remove Ottenbreit as both party member and candidate.
So far Wall has not called for Ottenbreit's resignation, and the question of whether he should make the call is a hard one.
On the one hand politicians should be held to a higher standard than most others as our leaders, and Ottenbreit's words were clearly inappropriate.
To Ottenbreit's credit he was quick to admit he was wrong in making the statement, and has apologized for his words.
Both Yorkton Tribal Chief Gilbert Panipekeesick and FSIN Vice-Chief Morley Watson said the apology was not enough, which is a position which might at least be partially politically motivated, as a way to bring attention to the need to address racism and discrimination.
There is something to be said for achieving a level of trust between all people that we can accept mistakes are made, that apologies can be sincere, and that through forgiveness something stronger can be created.
"Up to this point I've had quite a good relationship with the Tribal Council," said Ottenbreit (see story Page A1), adding overcoming the comments will be "a matter of forgiveness."
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.
Certainly Ottenbreit's words need to be something people consider closely when heading to the ballot box, with each of us weighing the malice we see in the words carefully.
What also needs to be asked of both Ottenbreit, and other candidates in what their party's plan is to address the problems associated with drug and alcohol use, not among a particular segment of society, but for all people suffering from the effects.
Drug and alcohol is not a problem related to race. They are issues which are reflected in crime rates, in family troubles, they are problems with socio-economic aspects government needs to work harder to correct.
While remarks against one segment of society should be held to the light for all to see, it is to be hoped out of the bad situation we as a society call upon whoever forms government Nov. 7, to do more to address both drug and alcohol problems in society in general.
