1,222 luminarias: Navajo Nation remembers those lost to COVID-19

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez, right, and first lady Phefelia Nez pay tribute to the 1,222 tribal members who died of COVID-19 in an event on March 17 in Window Rock, Arizona.

Kendrick James, staff assistant with the Navajo Nation Office of the President and Vice President, lights a candle on March 17 for an event in Window Rock, Arizona to remember tribal members who died of COVID-19.

Navajo Nation Office of the President and Vice President employees and volunteers set up 1,222 luminaries on March 17 at Veterans Memorial Park in Window Rock, Arizona to remember tribal members who died of COVID-19.

At left, second lady Dottie Lizer, watches Navajo Nation Vice President Myron Lizer talk about 1,222 tribal members who died of COVID-19 since last March during a remembrance event on March 17 in Window Rock, Arizona.

Cal Curley, legislative and government affairs associate with the Navajo Nation Washington Office, helps set up luminarias for a memorial service on March 17 in Window Rock, Arizona.

Members of the Navajo Nation who died of COVID-19 were remembered in an event on March 17 at Veterans Memorial Park in Window Rock, Arizona.

Luminarias light the Veterans Memorial Park on March 17 in Window Rock, Arizona during a remembrance event to recognize tribal members who died of COVID-19.

Sonya Begay, executive staff assistant with the Navajo Nation Office of the President and Vice President, lights a candle on March 17 in Window Rock, Arizona.

Miss Navajo Nation Shaandiin Parrish walks by luminarias as part of tribute to tribal members who died of COVID-19 in an event on March 17 in Window Rock, Arizona.

Navajo Nation government employees and volunteers situated 1,222 luminarias on March 17 at Veterans Memorial Park in Window Rock, Arizona to remember each tribal member who died of COVID-19.

Miss Navajo Nation Shaandiin Parrish listens to remarks during an March 17 event in Window Rock, Arizona to remember members of the Navajo Nation who died of COVID-19.

Perphelia Fowler, director of the Navajo Nation Division of Human Resources, places luminarias for a memorial event on March 17 in Window Rock, Arizona to remember tribal members who died of COVID-19.

Aurelia Nez, executive protection security, lights a candle before an event to remember members of the Navajo Nation who died of COVID-19 on March 17 in Window Rock, Arizona.

Luminarias wait to be lighted for an event to remember members of the Navajo Nation who died of COVID-19 on March 17 in Window Rock, Arizona.

Luminarias are displayed in a tribute on March 17 at Veterans Memorial Park in Window Rock, Arizona to members of the Navajo Nation who died of COVID-19.

Shaun Sells, an executive staff assistant to Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez, lights a candle on March 17 in Window Rock, Arizona.

The Navajo Nation honors tribal members who died of COVID-19 on March 17 in Window Rock, Arizona.

Navajo Nation Office of the President and Vice President employees and volunteers set up a display to remember 1,222 tribal members who died of COVID-19 in a memorial event on March 17 in Window Rock, Arizona.