Jim Chee: Character Analysis in Lost Birds by Anne Hillerman

Overview

Jim Chee is a Navajo Police lieutenant and one of the three central protagonists in Anne Hillerman’s Lost Birds, the 25th novel in the Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito series. A seasoned officer with deep knowledge of Diné culture, Chee serves as both a field investigator and a bridge between traditional wisdom and modern police work. In this installment, Chee’s primary task is assisting retired Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn with a sensitive adoption case: tracing a forged birth certificate and a mysterious photograph to help Stella Brown find her Navajo biological family. Chee’s sharp instincts, cultural literacy, and quiet determination make him an indispensable part of the novel’s dual investigation.

Plot Role in Lost Birds

Chee is drawn into the story when Leaphorn, unable to make progress on his own, calls Chee for help. Leaphorn describes Chee as someone who can “figure the way to jump from point A to point C if people and systems declined to cooperate.” Chee’s first assignment is to investigate the background of Stella Brown’s adoptive parents, Stan and Rita Brown—a couple whose records vanish before Stella’s first grade and whose birth certificate appears irregular. Chee’s search leads him to a book of Navajo environmental portraits locked in a special library collection, and he deduces that the single photograph Stella possesses—showing a Navajo couple near the Elephant Feet buttes—was likely part of that book. This thread eventually uncovers the true story of Stella’s adoption and biological mother.

Beyond the adoption case, Chee is present throughout the novel as a support to his wife, Officer Bernadette Manuelito, who investigates the explosion at Eagle Roost School and the disappearance of Bethany Bowlegs. He also plays a practical role in the climax: when Leaphorn and Largo race to rescue Louisa from her son Kory, Chee coordinates with them and later stops a black Escalade to extract information about the gambler Big Rex. In the final chapter, Chee shares Sunday lunch with Leaphorn and Bernie, learning about Leaphorn’s decision to step back from detective work.

Motivations and Character Traits

Chee is motivated by a blend of professional duty and personal loyalty. He respects Leaphorn as a mentor and is eager to help, even when the request is unorthodox—a background check on deceased people from a half-century-old adoption. His cultural grounding is evident: he knows the hatááłii (medicine man) from the Tonalea area, and he understands the term “lost birds” for Indigenous children removed from their homes. This cultural awareness informs his investigative approach—he looks for connections through clan, place, and story rather than relying solely on databases.

Chee is also defined by his pragmatism and patience. He endures a tedious workshop on new regulations without complaint, using the time to research on his laptop. When the librarian cannot access the locked book case, Chee does not press; he simply notes the problem and reports back to Leaphorn. He is a steady presence, rarely impulsive, and he thinks before acting—for example, when he stops to consider that the Browns might have been part of a religious order or cult. His sense of humor surfaces in dry moments, like calling his wife a “skilled worrier” and a “worrying warrior.”

Chronological Arc

Chee’s arc in Lost Birds unfolds in key stages:

1. Initial involvement: Leaphorn calls Chee from a workshop to ask for a background check on Stan and Rita Brown. Chee accepts immediately, setting aside his own duties.
2. Research and discovery: Chee visits the Window Rock library, identifies the photograph as likely from a Navajo photo book, and coordinates with the director to access it later. He also searches death certificates and finds only sparse information, fueling his speculation about the Browns’ hidden past.
3. Personal challenges: Chee learns from Mrs. Darkwater about Darleen’s relapse into drinking and the carbon monoxide incident at Mama’s house. He withholds the news from Bernie briefly, leading to a tense argument when she finds out. He also supports Leaphorn during the crisis with Louisa’s son Kory.
4. Resolution: In the closing chapters, Chee helps stop the black Escalade to get leads on Big Rex. He reunites with Bernie at Mama’s house to repair smoke alarms and discuss caregiving plans. At the final Sunday lunch, he acknowledges Leaphorn’s decision to become a movie consultant and reflects on the cases’ outcomes.

Relationships

With Joe Leaphorn: Chee holds Leaphorn in high esteem, calling him “sir” and seeking his advice. Their relationship is built on years of mutual respect; Leaphorn trusts Chee’s judgment and resourcefulness. In turn, Chee often acts as Leaphorn’s hands and eyes when the retired lieutenant cannot move as freely.

With Bernadette Manuelito: Chee and Bernie are a married couple working on the same police force, which creates both intimacy and friction. They have candid conversations about career frustrations and share a commitment to family—especially toward Bernie’s aging mother and her sister Darleen. The novel highlights a moment of strain when Chee withholds news of Mama’s accident, but they reaffirm their partnership by the end.

With Darleen and Mama: Chee is drawn into the family caregiving orbit. He shows patience with Darleen’s struggles, text-messaging her to relay messages, and he helps with practical repairs at Mama’s house. His bond with Mrs. Darkwater, the neighbor who helps with Mama, shows his ability to connect with elders in the community.

With Other Officers: Chee is a lieutenant in the Navajo Police, and he takes his supervisory role seriously—orienting new officer Roper Black and recommending him for the job. He maintains good relations with dispatchers like Sandra and respects the chain of command, though he is not afraid to push boundaries when needed.

Key Decisions and Consequences

One of Chee’s most consequential decisions is how to handle the news of Darleen’s relapse. He tells Bernie about the carbon monoxide alarm and the injury to her mother, but initially he does not mention Darleen’s drinking. When Bernie discovers the omission, it causes a heated argument. The consequence is a temporary rift in their marriage, but it also leads to a deeper conversation about trust and the burdens of caregiving. Ultimately, Chee’s choice to shield Bernie from the full truth stems from a desire to protect her—a flawed but human impulse.

Another key decision occurs when Chee chooses to investigate the photograph by visiting the library rather than calling for information. This decision sets in motion the resolution of Stella’s adoption, as Chee identifies the book and the archivist who can confirm the photo’s origin. Had he waited or delegated, the mystery might have remained unsolved.

Theme and Symbol Connections

Chee embodies the theme of adoption and identity through his work on Stella’s case. He recognizes the significance of “lost birds” and the historical trauma of Indigenous children separated from their families. By tracing the photograph, he helps Stella recover not just a document but a tangible connection to her Navajo heritage.

Chee also relates to the theme of family and caregiving. His personal life mirrors the novel’s concern with eldercare: he helps Bernie plan for her mother’s care, interacts with Darleen’s struggles, and supports Mrs. Darkwater. This shows that caregiving is not solely a female burden; Chee shares it willingly.

The photograph of the Navajo couple near the Elephant Feet buttes becomes a symbol of hidden histories. Chee’s interpretation of the image—as part of a larger environmental portrait project—demonstrates his ability to see beyond the surface and find patterns that others miss.

Book-Specific Questions and Answers

1. Why does Joe Leaphorn call Jim Chee for help with Stella Brown’s adoption case?

Leaphorn calls Chee because he knows Chee can “work around things that don’t work” and has strong ties to the Navajo community. Leaphorn trusts Chee’s resourcefulness and his ability to jump from point A to point C when systems are uncooperative. Chee also has personal knowledge of the Tonalea area and a network of contacts, including a hatááłii.

2. What is Chee’s theory about the Browns, and how does he investigate it?

Chee speculates that the Browns may have been hiding something—perhaps fleeing from debts, abuse, or a religious order. He searches death certificates and finds no obituary for Stan Brown and only a sparse obituary for Rita. He then focuses on the photograph, suspecting it was taken as part of a book of Navajo environmental portraits. He visits the Window Rock library to verify this, but the book is locked in special collections.

3. How does Chee’s personal life intersect with the main plot?

Chee’s personal life runs parallel to the mystery. He deals with Darleen’s relapse into drinking and the care crisis for his mother-in-law, which strains his relationship with Bernie. He also supports Leaphorn during the Kory abduction incident. These domestic challenges mirror the novel’s themes of family and caregiving while showing Chee’s emotional depth.

4. What role does Chee play in the resolution of the Eagle Roost explosion case?

Chee’s role is secondary but crucial. He coordinates with Leaphorn and Mona Short during the chase to rescue Louisa. Later, he stops the black Escalade belonging to Big Rex’s associates and extracts information from two men inside, which helps build the case against the gambling ring. His action prevents further violence and aids the investigation.

5. How does Chee’s understanding of Diné culture inform his detective work?

Chee’s cultural knowledge is evident throughout. He knows the term “lost birds” and its history. He recognizes the significance of a hatááłii and the importance of clan connections. When he sees the photograph, he immediately thinks of the Elephant Feet buttes near Tonalea, a place he knows from personal experience. This intuitive, place-based thinking makes him an effective investigator within the Navajo Nation.