Les Northrup, 64, felt at ease amongst the younger students.

When Les Northrup graduated last fall at the age of 64 from the law enforcement program at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College (FDLTCC), he was fulfilling a personal education goal. “It’s the only way you can compete in society: by having a good, well- rounded education. You have to be out in the world, going different places, meeting different people with different lifestyles, and experiencing different things.”

This isn’t the first post-secondary educational degree Northrup has received. He has a bachelor of science degree in history from the University of Minnesota-Duluth, with an Indian Studies minor. He also earned certificates in Indian chemical dependency counseling and in electrical drafting and light design.

“Having gone to college and having other technical degrees has helped me to maintain employment at all professional levels,” Northrup said. “I always tell young people that they need an education to compete, and it is especially so in today’s world.”

Before retiring last June, Northrup was the Fond Du Lac Reservation’s elderly program coordinator for 17 years. While working, he took law enforcement classes, one at a time, at night. “I thought I could become involved in private investigative-type work, maybe community policing or security related, maybe even applying for work with the reservation again,” he said.

In the 1960s, Northrup worked as a deputy sheriff in California, but at that time, a college degree or certificate wasn’t required, only a clean record. “ It (the tribal college program) really opened up my eyes as to how much the world has changed and how much we expect our law enforcement students to know.”

Northrup’s class was the first to participate in the new Law Enforcement Skills Training Program at the college on the Fond du Lac Reservation in Minnesota. To earn their associate degrees, the students received 500 hours of skill training, preceded by classroom education. The skills include standards required in Minnesota, such as use of firearms, use of radar, defensive driving, and crime scene investigation. To prepare them for working in Indian communities, they also took classes on cultural diversity, recognizing personal capabilities, and state-tribal jurisdiction.

In his class, Northrup was one of two American Indian persons. He felt at ease describing life experiences and imparting wisdom for the younger students. “I didn’t feel out of place in class,” Northrup said. “They had a lot of questions about Anishinaabeg (Ojibwe) culture and our traditional ways, which gave me the chance to explain a lot of stuff to them.” There were a few in class who didn’t understand certain issues, Northrup said. He thought they needed to understand the Indian concept of extended family, treaty rights, and regional Indian history. Knowing more about Indian culture would make their jobs as law enforcement officers easier, he told them.

At the graduation ceremony, the college administrators surprised Northrup by presenting him with the first “Les Northrup Award.” The award in his name will be given each year to a law enforcement student committed to improving themselves and their community. “Les Northrup was a stand out in the law enforcement skills classes due to his vision, leadership, team building achievements, and his incredible wit throughout the classes,” said Larry Anderson, FDLTCC vice president of admissions and student services. “Les did the same activities as 19-year olds in the class and never let out a whimper and never complained. He is truly a wonderful role model for our Indian youth.”

Despite enjoying his retirement from his administrative position, Northrup is pondering the rewards of re-entering the workforce, both the paycheck and the role he would play as a mentor. “It would show young people, as well as elders, that you can be whatever you desire to be; that it’s not too late to fulfill your dreams, that age is not an obstacle,” Northrup said. “I’m not uncomfortable with being labeled a role model if it helps others help themselves.”

Speaking to the younger generation, he offered more advice. “You’ve got to get away from the hard feelings between the Indian and non-Indian communities. If I had sat back and let something like that keep me down, I never would have achieved what I’ve achieved,” Northrup said. “I’ve learned from the old people, my elders. What they say about having an education and about learning in general is so true. Education doesn’t end with graduation.”

Michael LeGarde is the Fond du Lac Reservation public relations and  information specialist. Further information regarding the Law Enforcement Program at Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College may be obtained by contacting: David Greeman, director of law enforcement program, Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College, 2101 14th St., Cloquet, MN 55720, (218) 878-0849.