Gallup, N.M. — Five years ago, the man Elsie Smith loved told her calmly from his hospital bed that it was time for him to go. He died of AIDS and is buried here, in a cemetery on the Navajo reservation.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=50178

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Gallup, N.M. — Elsie Smith, who is HIV-positive, lives in the tiny tribal community of Iyanbito with her two sons and three granddaughters.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=50179

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Gallup, N.M. — Elsie Smith learned of her HIV diagnosis at the Indian Medical Center. Her granddaughters, from left, Keira, 3, Kariann, 2, and Keyanna, 7, assist her with her daily doses of medicine.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=50180

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Gallup, N.M. — Elsie Smith whips dough swiftly between her palms as she makes frybread with Kariann and Keira.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=50181

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Gallup, N.M. — Elsie Smith hugs her granddaughter Keira after she collided with her sister Kariann while dancing in the living room to a Justin Bieber song.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=50182

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Gallup, N.M. — The Navajo Nation is a vast expanse in the Four Corners region where poverty, poor education, alcohol abuse and the hardships of reservation life cultivate an environment in which HIV can spread.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=50183

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Gallup, N.M. — Jerry Archuleta, left, and Emerson Scott, partners who are both HIV positive, volunteer with the Navajo AIDS Network and work with several support groups for HIV and AIDS patients.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=50184

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Gallup, N.M. — Jerry Archuleta with his medication. Should he forget to take it, he can expect a stern lecture from Scott.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=50185

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Gallup, New Mexico — Jerry Archuleta and Emerson Scott move effortlessly about the kitchen while cooking breakfast.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=50186

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Gallup, N.M. — Jerry Archuleta, right, helps his sister, who recently had a stroke, walk along with Scott's mother. Both women live with the couple in Gallup.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=50187

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Gallup, N.M. — Here in the Navajo Nation, some learn about HIV and AIDS only once they're diagnosed.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=50188

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