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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: September 5, 2023 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 8-v <br /> SUBJECT: Proposed Naming of Bench at Occaneechi Village for John Blackfeather <br /> Jeffries <br /> DEPARTMENT: County Manager <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Orange County Property Naming Policy Bonnie Hammersley, 919-245-2306 <br /> Photo of Proposed Dedicated Bench <br /> Request for Naming of Bench <br /> PURPOSE: To consider stating the Board's intent to adopt a resolution for the naming of the <br /> bench at Occaneechi Village in the County's River Park for John Blackfeather Jeffries. <br /> BACKGROUND: John Hayles Blackfeather Jeffries (1939-2023)was widely known as a longtime <br /> member and leader of the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation. Jeffries was often described <br /> as a "warrior" for his tireless efforts to honor, preserve, and teach his tribe's heritage to the public <br /> and helped younger tribal members reconnect with their roots. Jeffries played an important role <br /> in helping his tribe gain official state recognition in 2002. <br /> One of his proudest and most visible contributions to the community is the landmark replica village <br /> of his ancestors, which Jeffries helped establish and construct in the late 1990s working under <br /> the guidance of UNC's Research Laboratories of Archaeology. Located in Orange County's River <br /> Park, just off the Riverwalk, the replica village served as a popular site for cultural education <br /> programs where Jeffries worked with other tribal members to hold demonstrations and living <br /> history events to help raise awareness of the Occaneechi tribal heritage of this area. Jeffries <br /> worked with tribal members to organize a wide variety of public educational programs at the <br /> village, including outdoor cooking, storytelling, tribal dance, and methods of hunting and fishing. <br /> Jeffries was later instrumental in a community volunteer project to rebuild the replica village <br /> between 2017 and 2022, working in partnership with Orange County and the Alliance for Historic <br /> Hillsborough. <br /> In memory and appreciation of Jeffries' dedication and commitment to his tribe and local history, <br /> a proposal was made to name a favorite bench he often frequented adjacent to the Occaneechi <br /> Village replica in his name (see attached picture). This proposed bench dedication for John <br /> Blackfeather Jeffries is presented to the Board of Orange County Commissioners for <br /> consideration. <br /> FINANCIAL IMPACT: If the Board states its intent to adopt a resolution naming the bench for <br /> John Blackfeather Jeffries, staff will pursue options and costs related to a plaque/signage and <br /> identify funds for the expenditure. <br /> SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goal is applicable to <br /> this item: <br />