Echoes of
Wide Ruins
Hey There!
Echoes of Wide Ruins is a historical documentary that delves into the intersection of Navajo culture and one man's bureaucratic struggles in the 1970s. We tell this story utilizing personal Super8 footage, family interviews, and insights from the Navajo people who lived and worked at the Wide Ruins trading post.
Daniel Ruiz Smith
Producer / Director
Synopsis
John Rieffer was not just a respected figure but a beloved cornerstone of the community. As the store trader at the Wide Ruins reservation in northeastern Arizona, his deep connection with the Navajo people transcended mere commerce—he learned their language, becoming a trusted friend and counselor. His life took a tragic turn when the IRS accused him of income tax fraud, shattering his reputation and plunging his family into a relentless four-year battle for exoneration. Despite being acquitted just days before his sudden death, the scars of suspicion and injustice remain fresh for his widow Sharon and their seven children. ‘Echoes of Wide Ruins' explores not only the personal toll of bureaucratic overreach against the backdrop of the American Indian Movement, It's a story of resilience, community, and the relentless pursuit of truth and forgiveness in the face of adversity.
Heart
The heart of our documentary lies in capturing the impact of wrongful accusation on a family who believed in the promise of justice. Through intimate interviews we aim to shed light on systemic flaws while celebrating John Rieffer's unwavering faith in the American ideals he held dear. ‘Echoes of Wide Ruins' seeks to inspire empathy, provoke reflection on the power of presumption, and advocate for reforms that prevent similar injustices in the future.
Location
Wide Ruins, located within the Navajo Nation in Arizona, is a historically rich area known for its stunning landscapes, including mesas, canyons, and ancient ruins. The community is renowned for its unique style of Navajo rugs, which reflect a deep cultural heritage. John Rieffer played a pivotal role in this community, running the local trading post and promoting the crafts of Navajo artisans. His efforts helped preserve and share the artistic traditions of Wide Ruins, making a significant impact on both the local and broader communities.
Spider Rock
Canyon de’ Chelly, Arizona.
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Main Characters
All of John Rieffer’s daughters have shared the story of their father, as well as the people who worked with him and knew the family well.
Anneta Smith
The oldest of John’s six children, was just 18 when her father passed away. Thrust into a role of immense responsibility, she took on the task of helping to raise her five younger sisters. Her strong-willed and firm demeanor, coupled with a natural matriarchal air, made her the backbone of the family during those turbulent times. Anneta’s story is one of resilience and leadership, offering a compelling perspective on the familial impact of John’s struggles and the strength required to navigate life after his untimely death.
Kathy Scoggin
The second oldest daughter, is deeply nostalgic about her childhood, vividly brings Wide Ruins to life through her imaginative storytelling about her childhood. Her close bond with her sisters and best friend, Becky Clark, highlights the strong connections with the Navajo community, adding a rich, personal dimension to the documentary.
Sheila Pulver
The lively middle child, embodies a free-spirited and adventurous nature. In her interview, she recalls the joy and enchantment of living on the Navajo Nation, sharing tales of finding Navajo artifacts and the happiness she shared with her sisters during their childhood. Sheila also provides intimate insights into her mother Sharon's struggle and coping mechanisms after John's passing.
Rachael Rieffer
With her pure heart, Rachael holds tender and honest memories of her father. Due to her developmental delays, her oldest sister Anneta formally adopted her after John's passing, as their mother Sharon was not emotionally stable to care for her unique special needs. Despite these challenges, Rachael's recollections of her father are vivid and detailed, highlighting John's patience and love for each of his children.
Rayleen Richards
The second youngest daughter, was the prankster of the family, always bringing laughter and joy. She adored her older sisters, often following in their footsteps. As one of the youngest, Rayleen cherishes the tender memories she has of her father, holding them close to her heart. In her interview, Rayleen shares stories of growing up without her father, and building a relationship with her mother, Sharon, and learning the many ways she coped with the loss of John.
Natasha Petersen
The youngest of the six sisters, was adored by the entire family. She and Rayleen, being closest in age, shared the same trials of losing their father at a young age. Natasha was only 7 years old when her father passed away, but she still holds vivid memories of her childhood with him. Through John’s journal entries, featured in the documentary, we learn about his profound love for Natasha and the special place she held in his heart as the youngest daughter.
Henry Yazzie
A Navajo man and Vietnam War veteran, played a crucial role at the Wide Ruins Trading Post as an employee and eventual co-owner with John Rieffer. Growing up in the area and being a native Navajo speaker, Henry was essential to the store’s operations and connection with the local community. Over time, John and Henry's relationship grew, with John even giving Henry and his wife the house behind the store, where Henry still resides today.
Duane Winn
The eldest brother of John's wife Sharon, played a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of John and Sharon's lives. As an accountant at the Bureau of Indian Affairs in New Mexico, Duane recommended that the couple move to Wide Ruins shortly after their marriage. His suggestion set the stage for John and Sharon's life and adventure in Wide Ruins, becoming the foundation of their family's story and the central narrative of this documentary.
Eddie Bonnie
A fifth-generation Navajo rug weaver, Eddie, comes from a renowned family that significantly elevated the popularity of the distinctive Wide Ruins rug design. His grandmother, Blanche Hale, gained acclaim in Arizona Highways magazine for her exquisite weaving skills, which helped make Wide Ruins rugs highly sought after in the 1970s. Eddie continues this legacy, linking past craftsmanship with the vibrant cultural heritage of the Navajo people.
Gigi Spurlock
As lifelong friend and confidante of Sharon Rieffer, Gigi has shared a deep bond with her since their teenage years on the Navajo Reservation. Gigi's intimate knowledge of Sharon's life offers a poignant perspective on the personal challenges Sharon faced after John's death, including her struggles with remarrying multiple times and raising her family. Through her recollections, Gigi provides a heartfelt view of Sharon’s resilience and the profound choices she made to move forward with her life.
Becky Clark
A Navajo woman who grew up alongside the Rieffer children in Wide Ruins, Becky formed a deep bond with the family. With her own father often absent, John Rieffer became a father figure to her, providing a nurturing presence during her formative years. Now living in Wide Ruins, she reflects on her cherished memories with the Rieffer family and the impact of John's sudden passing, sharing a moving account of her connection with the family and the subsequent loss of that bond.
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Director/Producer
Daniel Smith, the grandson of John Rieffer, brings a deeply personal perspective to this documentary. His familial ties have granted him unique access to intimate interviews, unseen photographs, and Super8 footage, allowing for an authentic portrayal of his family's history and his grandfather's legacy. Dedicated to honoring a man he never met, Daniel's passion for storytelling shines through, capturing the rich culture of the Navajo Nation and the enduring relationships his grandfather built. His commitment to this project is evident, aiming to create a respectful and heartfelt tribute to both his family and the Navajo community.
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Cinematographer
Joseph Adivari is a talented cinematographer with a knack for storytelling and a flair for visual fantasy. He filmed vignette scenes that reimagine pivotal moments from the past. With a keen eye for capturing emotional depth, Joseph brought to life the stories that skillfully evokes the sense of nostalgia and innocence, presenting these scenes as vivid memories seen through the eyes of a child.
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Music Composer / Orchestration
A composer and orchestrator whose work brings a profound emotional depth to the documentary. Ruoming masterfully crafts the soundtrack to narrate the documentary's story. Her compositions capture a wide range of emotions, from humor and grief to nostalgia, enhancing the overall storytelling experience. Ruoming excels in music composition, orchestration, and sound design, creating a powerful auditory backdrop that resonates with the film’s themes and personal stories.
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Motion Graphics Designer
Danilo Baukov is a skilled film and video editor with a BA and master's degree in film editing. For this documentary, Danilo is elevating archival materials and historical documents through dynamic motion graphics and sophisticated animations, enriching the audience's experience and bringing the film's historical depth to life.
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Motion Graphics Designer
Jose Antonio Campos Argoti is an accomplished audiovisual producer who brings the poignant journal entries of John and Sharon to life in the documentary. Tasked with animating these personal writings, Jose skillfully gives voice to the words of the past, allowing John and Sharon to speak through their heartfelt entries. His work visualizes the emotions captured in their journals, making these intimate reflections visually captivating and resonant for the audience.
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Animation Designer
Atanas Shopski is the creative force behind the animations in our documentary, bringing the stories told by the characters to vivid life. With a talent for re-imagining tales from the daughters' childhoods, Atanas uses nostalgic and colorful visuals to immerse audiences in these memories. His work adds a dynamic layer to the documentary, allowing viewers to experience the stories as they are narrated, capturing the emotions and atmosphere of the past in a unique and engaging way.
Current Status
Our documentary, Echoes of Wide Ruins, is currently in the crucial post-production phase. We are meticulously editing the footage, refining the narrative, and finalizing animations and music to bring the story to life. This phase is essential to ensure the highest quality and most impactful storytelling, but it also comes with significant costs.
How You Can Help
To complete this labor of love and share it with the world, we need your support. Your contributions will help cover the final stages of production, including animations, sound design, color correction, and distribution efforts. By supporting us, you're not just funding a film; you're helping to preserve and share a vital piece of history and culture.
Join Us on This Journey:
Share: Spread the word about our project on social media and with friends and family.
Donate: Your donations, big or small, are vital to our success.
Post-Production Budget
