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RES -2024 - 040 sJ � l � l <br /> RAN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> RESOLUTION NAMING THE JOHN BLACKFEATHER AND LYNETTE COLES <br /> JEFFRIES MEMORIAL BENCH AT RIVER PARK <br /> WHEREAS , John Hayles Blackfeather Jeffries ( 1939 - 2023 ) was widely known as a <br /> longtime member and leader of the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation ; and <br /> WHEREAS , Jeffries was often described as a "warrior" for his tireless efforts to honor, <br /> preserve , and teach his tribe ' s heritage to the public and helped younger tribal members <br /> reconnect with their roots , playing an important role in helping his tribe gain official state <br /> recognition in 2002 ; and <br /> WHEREAS , one of Jeffries proudest and most visible contributions to the community is <br /> the landmark replica village of his ancestors , located in Orange County ' s River Park which <br /> he helped establish and construct in the late 1990s working under the guidance of UNC ' s <br /> Research Laboratories of Archaeology ; and <br /> WHEREAS , the replica village served as a popular site for cultural education programs <br /> where Jeffries worked with other tribal members to hold demonstrations and living history <br /> Iff <br /> events to help raise awareness of the Occaneechi tribal heritage of this area ; and <br /> WHEREAS , in memory and appreciation of Jeffries ' dedication and commitment to his <br /> tribe and local history, a proposal was made to name a bench at a location he often <br /> frequented adjacent to the Occaneechi Village replica in his name ; and <br /> WHEREAS , on September 5 , 2023 , the Board of County Commissioners announced the <br /> intent to name the bench after John Blackfeather Jeffries and his wife Lynette Coles <br /> Jeffries . The bench would bear the following nameplate : <br /> In Memory of <br /> John 'Blackfeather" Jeffries & Lynette Coles Jeffries <br /> NOW, THEREFORE , BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners <br /> do hereby name the bench to be installed at River Park to be the John Blackfeather and <br /> Lynette Coles Jeffries Memorial Bench . <br /> This the 18th day of June , 2024 . <br /> n <br /> Liao <br /> 17 <br /> Jamep6tta 139dford , Chair <br /> Orange County Board of Commissioners � � �, � <br /> AT ST: <br /> Laura Jen y Clerk to the Board <br />