Caps for Cops Wraps Up!

4-26-23 - They’re finished!

This week, FPD officers completed their third and final beaver skin hat-making session with elders from Denakkanaaga, and they turned out great!

It was so wonderful to get to know each other, share a lot of laughs, and learn some new skills along the way.

Thank you so much to Miranda Wright, Elizabeth Fleagle, Marie Yaska, Vernell Titus, and all the other elders that decided to join in on the fun along the way. Thank you also to Sharon McConnell, Patricia Bessette, and any others that helped facilitate this event. We can’t wait to start Caps for Cops back up with a new group of officers in the coming months!

4-19-23 - FPD officers and Denakkanaaga elders continued their beaver skin hat project yesterday at the second “Caps for Cops” session. Only one more session and the hats will be done!

In case you missed it, “Caps for Cops” is a new program where FPD officers are able to get to know elders in our community while the elders teach them how to make beaver skin hats that they can wear on duty.

A class of 8th graders from Galena happened to be visiting the area and were able to stop by and visit. They all introduced themselves in the traditional way of giving their name and then the names of both of their parents. Officers were able to talk with them a bit about how they got into their careers in law enforcement, and Chief Dupee offered some advice on how to seek a career in policing for those that were interested.

Good afternoon all around!

4-17-23 - What’s better than getting to know the elders in our community? We’d have to say that it’s getting to know the elders in our community while they teach us how to make beaver skin hats that will keep us nice and warm on frigid days and nights!

FPD officers Sean Lai, Clint Brubeck, Stephen Hancock and Lt. Amy Davis completed their first Caps for Cops session this week with elders from Denakkanaaga. The elders and officers had a great time getting to know each other and talking about their backgrounds, while the elders directed and helped make the hats that, when finished, can be worn by the officers while on duty. The gathering was definitely lively…and at times very humorous, as some of the officers had never even touched a sewing machine before.

Thank you so much to Elizabeth Fleagle, Marie Yaska, Miranda Wright, and Vernell Titus for giving your time to us (and your patience), as well as to Denakkanaaga staff for helping to organize this event. Thank you also to former FPD Lt. Kurt Lockwood who was the brainchild for this idea.

We look forward to our next session and we’ll keep you all posted on our progress!