Things were looking up for Jeff Menard, creator of the "Got Land? Thank an Indian" clothing line. Now hard times are making the Winnipeg man take a hard look at his business plan.

In January, demand for Menard's shirts increased dramatically after Tennelle Starr, a Grade 8 student from Star Blanket First Nation in Saskatchewan, was told by school officials not wear her "Got Land? Thank an Indian" hoodie to school because it was offensive.

CBC broke the story, and it was picked up by other networks across the country. Orders flooded in. Menard estimates sales at 4,500 units so far.

“That’s the thing about controversy — there’s good and bad," he said. "I’ll take them both, but that’s what you need, is a balance."

It all just led to another thing, and then I was just strapped [for] cash. I don’t come from where rich kids do. I couldn’t call mom or dad for money. - Jeff Menard

Menard recently broke up with his common-law partner, which left him homeless. When he is not couch-surfing, his fallback is his 2007 Nissan Maxima SE.

Menard said Starr’s family sent him money for a room at the Clarion Hotel in Winnipeg. Others have responded to his Facebook status, wiring money.

“My car is the only thing I’ve earned in my life … my car is my prized possession, “ said Menard, a former Canada Post mail carrier.

“I’ve slept in my car at least three times in the past 10 days …. It sucks, actually. I am so appreciative of a bed.”

Cash flow has been another problem. Menard has been giving away some of his gear for free and giving people items on credit for later payment. “It’s been hard collecting the cash,” he says.

Menard estimates he sold about 4,500 shirts and hoodies, not including the ones he gave away for free. (Jeff Menard)

“It all just led to another thing, and then I was just strapped [for] cash. I don’t come from where rich kids do. I couldn’t call Mom or Dad for money.”

Things went from bad to worse. Menard said on Feb. 19, he went to Stony Mountain Institution, a medium-security jail in Manitoba, to “drop off T-shirts for the boys."

He said he was already through the gates when he suddenly remembered that a friend had left a gram of marijuana in his car, so he alerted the guards.

“Once those gates closed, I remembered what was in the trunk," he said. "I don’t even smoke the stuff. I handed it over.”

Menard now faces two charges: possession of controlled drugs and substances, and possession of the proceeds of crime. His court date is April 14 in Stonewall, Man.

Show me the money and I’ll be your business partner…. I need the professionals to take over, and this ‘Indian’ needs a vacation. - Jeff Menard

To alleviate his situation and make business easier to handle, Menard wants to sell a 49 per cent share of his "Got Land? Thank an Indian" line to one or more potential buyers by Friday, March 28.

“Show me the money, and I’ll be your business partner," said Menard.

"I need the professionals to take over, and this ‘Indian’ needs a vacation."

He wants to “go out west," he says, to visit his elder for spiritual guidance and get traditional medicines for healing purposes.

Despite his challenges, however, Menard said he is looking forward.

“I’d like to say miigwetch to all the people who’ve helped me so far in all my 37 years. And for the next 37 years, it's going to be a good life,” said Menard, who also plans to run for chief or councillor of Pine Creek First Nation.