The former leader of the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation’s tribal council, John “Blackfeather” Jeffries, died earlier this week.

A release on Thursday from the tribal nation — which is part of the Orange, Alamance and Caswell county communities — shared that Jeffries passed on Tuesday, January 24.

“The entire Tribal Nation, Indian Country, Friends and beyond are saddened at the loss of one our great leaders and standard bearers,” it read. “His efforts have been felt for decades by American Indians and others across our great nations. He touched so many of us and was an iconic mentor for us all.”

Jeffries, who was a Hillsborough resident, served as the chairman of the tribal council for several years and was considered a tribal elder at the time of his death. Not only was he known for his leadership of the tribe and big personality, but Jeffries was a frequent emcee and representative of the Occaneechi for native tribal events across the eastern United States.

Residents and visitors to Hillsborough may recognize one of Jeffries’ biggest efforts in recent years: the re-building of a living Occaneechi village off of the Hillsborough Riverwalk. The 18th-century replica is in the town’s River Park and was constructed in partnership between the Occaneechi tribe, the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough, and Orange County government — but Jeffries’ push in the mid-2010’s is largely credited as the inspiration of the project.

The Occaneechi tribal band and other community partners held a rededication event for the village site in April 2022, which features a palisade, several huts, a fire pit and a cooking table.

Photo via the Clio Foundation.

Several community members and local leaders took to social media to remember Jeffries on Thursday, including Hillsborough Mayor Jenn Weaver and U.S. Congresswoman Valerie Foushee.

The Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation said in its release it will honor the wishes of Jeffries’ family by giving them privacy and a private ceremony.

“We have lost a legendary Warrior for all Natives across the country; he will be remembered and forever live in our hearts and actions,” said Thursday’s message.

 

Photo via Visit Hillsborough NC.

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