Help Rebuild The Yazzie's Home: A New Kind of Film

This is a true story. In 1968, in the heart of the Navajo Nation, 5 Navajo boys escaped from their abusive boarding school in the dead of winter. Their home was over 30 miles and 8,000 feet of elevation away. Nothing would deter them from seeking the safety of their homes and families. The boys were just 9 to 11 years old.

Kee Yazzie (one of the school boys) telling his story while in Black Mesa this March.

Hi, my name is Stephanie Gumpel and I'm a writer and director that has been working alongside the Bitaani clan since 2020, documenting their lives and looking for a story together worthy of making into a film. This feature film project is my greatest hope to create with this community. It is both an unflinching account of a true story and also a new model for independent filmmaking.

Michelle (producer and granddaughter of Alice Yazzie) and I.

This fundraiser will first go towards restoring the Yazzie home in Black Mesa. Although the ranch is still operating and is having a resurgence raising sheep and cattle, their home fell into disrepair when Cecil Yazzie died in a tragic mining accident, and later when his widow, Alice Yazzie, lost her sight in both eyes.

The ranch house before we cleaned it up.

Our cleanup and demo crew beginning the project in 2022.

The Yazzie home cleaned out and demo'd down to the studs ready for a new life and another chapter.

Sam, overlooking the cattle herd.

My son, Crue, and husband, Travis, on a visit to the Yazzie ranch this Spring.

Alice and her son, Sam, now reside in nearby Kayenta in a mobile home park. Sam and his sister, Evelyn, take care of their mother and travel 2-3 hours daily to take care of the animals: the herd of sheep, cattle, horses, and very delightful sheep dogs! The home, when fully restored, will serve as a filming location for the story of the boarding school boys. It is, in fact, the actual home depicted in the story.

Crue meeting "Shimà" (mother) Alice Yazzie.

Shimà recounting the story of the boys in 1968 this March during our last visit. Her son was the oldest boy in the group.

6% of the funds raised here will go back to the community the story is drawn from - Black Mesa. Currently, the ranchers there are rallying to protect their land and water. There are an estimated 500 people living without running water and very little electricity and internet.

Shimà sheering sheep on Black Mesa before losing her sight.

The remaining funds will be used to finance the film. The budget will be transparent and every dollar that can be spent within the Black Mesa/Kayenta/Navajo community will be. We estimate that the home repair costs will be between 15k-30k. The making of the film itself will cost 200K and be financed through this fundraiser and other efforts.

This is an exciting and inspiring project. We'd love for you to join our cause and community. The future we are building together is BEAUTIFUL and BRIGHT!