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A Day with Rolling Thunder is a three-part docuseries filmed in Carlin, Nevada in 1978 by United Earth Fund.Rolling Thunder — Cherokee medicine man, humanitarian, and shaman — was the real McCoy. His healings, witnessed in the presence of medical doctors, could not be explained in conventional terms.

Episodes — approximately 26 minutes each Part 1: Morning at Meta Tantay Part 2: RT's Home & Perspectives Part 3: Last Stand at Meta Tantay
Bonus Episode — Part 4 (55 minutes): Interview with RT's friend Paul and RT's writings. Coming soon via Kickstarter and Patreon.

Rolling Thunder—born John Pope—invites you inside his home at Meta Tantay. He moves through the room, showing you what matters: a golden eagle named Piacuena, sacred and never killed. Cherokee paintings of the Earth Mother. His medicine bag with its eagle feather and beaded snake. A handwoven water bottle made by an old woman before she died — one of the last who knew how. "Many of the values of our culture being lost," he says. Behind his chair hangs a picture of an old Indian whose caption he reads aloud: "All honorable men belong to the same tribe."

He tells you how his father met his mother — long tail coat, high hat with a feather, two bandoliers, no pants, all on horseback. He talks about the Cherokee written alphabet, the boarding schools that shipped young people away, and the high culture of this land: "There's no other that can fit this land or replace it." His wife, Spotted Fawn — Clan Mother of the camp — joins him to speak about the role of women and the ceremony of Grandmother Moon: "We don't actually pray to her, but we pray through her so that we can get a better understanding of ourselves." It taught me things I never learned in school or college, and it changed my life. RT has a message for you, too.

Recorded originally for presentation at the World Symposium on Humanities in London, this film captures the day spent with Rolling Thunder to preserve his voice and message. Because he had been advised not to travel at the time, United Earth Fund arranged to record his presentation so it could be shared with the international gathering.

Now, forensically restored to modern standards by UEF, this historic documentary is finally presented to a wider audience.

This episode reveals Rolling Thunder not only as a figure of public fascination, but as a thoughtful man at home—grounded in tradition, generous with his wisdom, and deeply committed to the protection of Mother Earth.

Background and Production
Rolling Thunder became widely known through the book Rolling Thunder by Doug Boyd and through his influence on musicians and cultural figures of the era. Revered by Bob Dylan, Joanie Baez, and members of the Grateful Dead, Rolling Thunder was sought out by people from around the world. Though little known publicly, multiple sources — including members of RT's family, his wife, and a Grateful Dead associate who knew both men — point to a significant personal connection: that the Grateful Dead introduced Dylan to Rolling Thunder, that Dylan gave RT one of his guitars, and that the Rolling Thunder Revue may have been named in RT's honor.

The land at Meta Tantay was purchased by the Grateful Dead for Rolling Thunder, and the spirit of his message—respect for the Earth and all peoples—resonated strongly within the music culture of the time. The companion music album A Day with Rolling Thunder features songs written by James Bluewolf and arranged, recorded, and performed by Al Licari on drums. The album reflects the movement of the era, celebrating Mother Earth, unity among peoples, and protection of nature.

Production Credits
Produced by United Earth Fund (UEF), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supporting student journalism since 1978.
This student‑led project was produced with the cooperation of the University of California, Davis, including Professor Dave Risling and the UCD Tecumseh Center.

Filmed at Meta Tantay, Carlin, Nevada in March 1978.
Rolling Thunder served for many years as an advisor to United Earth Fund and encouraged the organization’s work supporting human rights for the Hopi people in the Four Corners region of the United States.

-UEF Editor

Important: Please Read Before Purchasing
This documentary was originally produced in 1978 and has been forensically restored to modern standards by UEF. The content is presented for historical and educational purposes.
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