Flags at Half-Staff in Honor of John “Blackfeather” Jeffries

Governor Roy Cooper ordered North Carolina flags at state facilities to half-staff from sunrise to sunset Wednesday, Feb. 1, in honor of the late John “Blackfeather” Jeffries, who died Jan. 24.

Jeffries served as the chairman of the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation from 1995 to 2000. He served on the tribal council until 2020.

Until a few years ago, he often could be found outside the Hillsborough Visitors Center on school field trip days, teaching children about the indigenous people who once lived and traveled along the Eno River. Many Hillsborough residents have fond memories of talking with Jeffries and learning from him about the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation.

“John Blackfeather Jeffries’ contributions to Hillsborough and the state of North Carolina are immeasurable,” Mayor Jenn Weaver said. “We would not be the same community we are today without all he brought to it, and we mourn his loss. Our thoughts are with his family and the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation.”

See the press release from the North Carolina Department of Administration, which includes a statement from the governor.