Clarence Papequash speaks outside court after receiving bail

Clarence Papequash is seen outside the courthouse in Kamsack on Feb. 22, 2017.

Clarence Papequash, the former chief and current councilor of the Key First Nation spoke publicly on Wednesday for the first time since he was arrested on Feb. 14.

Papequash was released on $1000 bail after making a court appearance in Kamsack. He was charged under the controlled substances act after a search warrant was executed on his property last week.

He spoke out after the hearing, telling CTV News he has recently been battling addiction.

“I want to apologize to my people. If I hurt them in any way, I ask for their forgiveness.” Papequash said.

A plea has not yet been entered in the case. Papequash is due back in court on March 14.

In 2014 when Papequash was Chief of the Key First Nation, he was convicted of trafficking morphine and handed a six-month sentence.