Sandoval County Commission Unanimously Honors Late Navajo Leader Rex Lee Jim

Twila Lee stood before the Sandoval County Commission on March 11 and accepted a certificate honoring her late father, Rex Lee Jim, just 15 days after the former Navajo Nation vice president, poet, educator and medicine man died in Albuquerque at age 63.

"It has been a rough two weeks," she told commissioners. "He was a very dedicated, very intelligential person, and as much as the traveling he did, he would always come home. He always knew where home was, and he did so much for his people."

Commissioner Josh Jones presented the certificate at the commission's regular meeting, where the body voted unanimously to honor Jim's memory. Jones praised Jim as a leader whose contributions extended well beyond elected office, noting he had been recognized as a protector of the Diné language and culture, a poet, an educator, a medicine man and someone who dedicated his life to the well-being of the Navajo Nation people.

"We have the honor to be able to truly honor a great leader and, from what I understand, a great person," Jones said, adding that it is important to honor all leaders, "especially those that stand out."

Jim, who was born and raised in Rock Point, Arizona in 1962, served as the 8th Vice President of the Navajo Nation from January 11, 2011 to May 12, 2015 alongside President Ben Shelly. Before that, he represented his district as a member of the 20th and 21st Navajo Nation Council from January 14, 2003 through January 11, 2011. He was of the Red House People (Kin Łichíi'nii) and born for the Red Streak Running into Water People (Táchii'nii).

Beyond elected office, Jim authored two works in the Diné language, Áhí Ni' Nikisheehiish in 1989 and Saad in 1995, and worked toward developing appropriate curricula for Navajo students from kindergarten through graduate-level programs. The Navajo Nation Office of the President described him as "a powerful voice for Diné Bizaad and Navajo identity" who carried traditional knowledge, sharing the Blessing Way and offering guidance and healing across Navajo communities.

The 25th Navajo Nation Council issued a formal condolence statement on February 24, the day Jim passed. Speaker Crystalyne Curley said Jim "leaves behind a legacy of strengthening Navajo education and furthering diplomacy for Indigenous Nations internationally."

Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren offered his own tribute from Window Rock: "May the Holy People watch over him on his journey."

At the Sandoval County meeting, Twila Lee introduced her two children to the commissioners, saying she values the importance of them knowing who their grandfather was. "He was a very traditional person as well, so he had a pride in who he was and the education that he wanted for the youth and taught us so much," she said.

County tribal liaison Evelyn Sandoval gave thanks to the commissioners, Jones, and the county's Marketing and Communications office for organizing the honoring.