HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2024-040-Resolution Naming the John Blackfeather and Lynette Coles Jeffries Memorial Bench at River Park RES -2024 - 040 sJ � l � l
RAN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION NAMING THE JOHN BLACKFEATHER AND LYNETTE COLES
JEFFRIES MEMORIAL BENCH AT RIVER PARK
WHEREAS , John Hayles Blackfeather Jeffries ( 1939 - 2023 ) was widely known as a
longtime member and leader of the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation ; and
WHEREAS , Jeffries was often described as a "warrior" for his tireless efforts to honor,
preserve , and teach his tribe ' s heritage to the public and helped younger tribal members
reconnect with their roots , playing an important role in helping his tribe gain official state
recognition in 2002 ; and
WHEREAS , one of Jeffries proudest and most visible contributions to the community is
the landmark replica village of his ancestors , located in Orange County ' s River Park which
he helped establish and construct in the late 1990s working under the guidance of UNC ' s
Research Laboratories of Archaeology ; and
WHEREAS , the replica village served as a popular site for cultural education programs
where Jeffries worked with other tribal members to hold demonstrations and living history
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events to help raise awareness of the Occaneechi tribal heritage of this area ; and
WHEREAS , in memory and appreciation of Jeffries ' dedication and commitment to his
tribe and local history, a proposal was made to name a bench at a location he often
frequented adjacent to the Occaneechi Village replica in his name ; and
WHEREAS , on September 5 , 2023 , the Board of County Commissioners announced the
intent to name the bench after John Blackfeather Jeffries and his wife Lynette Coles
Jeffries . The bench would bear the following nameplate :
In Memory of
John 'Blackfeather" Jeffries & Lynette Coles Jeffries
NOW, THEREFORE , BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners
do hereby name the bench to be installed at River Park to be the John Blackfeather and
Lynette Coles Jeffries Memorial Bench .
This the 18th day of June , 2024 .
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Jamep6tta 139dford , Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners � � �, �
AT ST:
Laura Jen y Clerk to the Board