Former Navajo Nation delegate's memory honored at commission

BERNALILLO — The Sandoval County Commission honored the memory of Rex Lee Jim, a former Navajo Nation vice president and council delegate who passed away recently.

Commissioner Josh Jones presented a certificate to Lee Jim’s family March 11 at the regular commission meeting.

“We have the honor to be able to truly honor a great leader and, from what I understand, a great person,” Jones said.

He added that it's important to honor all leaders, “especially those that stand out.”

He said Lee Jim has 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.

Twila Lee, Lee Jim’s daughter, accepted the certificate on behalf of the family.

“It has been a rough two weeks,” she said. “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.”

Lee also introduced her two kids, saying she values the importance of them knowing who Lee Jim 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.

The county’s tribal liaison, Evelyn Sandoval, gave thanks and appreciation to the Sandoval County cCommissioners, Jones and to Marketing & Communications for the honoring of Lee Jim.