Crazy Indians Brotherhood gives back during holidays

A group of good Samaritans calling themselves the Crazy Indians Brotherhood spent Sunday afternoon serving soup and bannock outside Thunderbird House on Main Street.

The group also unloaded an entire flat-deck truck loaded with winter clothing, sporting goods and food to be distributed to Winnipeg families this holiday season.

Although they wear leather vests with patches, the group is not a criminal gang.

"Yeah people do see the vests and they just think the worst right away but once they know what we're really about though kind of appreciate it and they want to offer to help us,” said Ernie Guiboche, president of the group’s Winnipeg chapter.

Crazy Indians Brotherhood doesn’t deny that many of its members have checkered pasts but says they now use that personal experience to encourage young people to make positive choices in their lives.

“I’ve been to jail many times,” said Robert Nabess, president of the group’s chapter in The Pas.

Nabess used to be in a criminal gang, sell drugs and fight.

“I just snapped out of it one day with some help from others,” said Nabess. “Now I’d like to give some of that help back.”

Rob Foster drove the flat-deck of donations to Winnipeg. He says watching his friend Nabess make such positive changes in his life has been inspirational.

"It just proves to society that anybody can change given the chance,” said Foster. “And not everybody that's into that kind of thing stays there forever."

Nabess, who has overcome many challenges in his own life, has one for all Manitobans this holiday season.

"I'd just like everybody who's watching this to maybe think about it,” said Nabess. “You're in your nice warm house right now, your stomach is full. Maybe share that experience with somebody."