The Robert E. Robideau papers contain reports, court documents, Freedom of Information Act released FBI files, newspaper clippings, correspondence, handwritten notes, publications, audiocassette tapes, flyers, and research files pertaining to Robideau's lifelong work as an American Indian Movement activist. The original collection is divided into 3 overlapping series. 2 more series were added in July 2011.
AIM consists of 23 boxes which contain the majority of AIM's activities from 1975 through 1994. This series combines AIM's general activities with the Leonard Peltier Support Group and Defense Committee materials.
Audio consists of two boxes of audio recordings containing the only recorded copies of the 1976 Butler/Robideau murder trial. Also contained in this series are recorded phone conversations, interviews, speeches, and lectures.
AIM Related Publications consists of four boxes of newspaper publications. Noted Indian publications such as Crazy Horse Spirit, News from Indian Country, Akwesasne Notes, and many others are included here.
The 2011 addition contains two series, which overlap with materials in the original accession.
Leonard Peltier Case documents Robert Robideau's efforts to secure Leonard Peltier's liberation from prison. The series contains information on Peltier's case including Freedom of Information Act released FBI documents, legal, and legislative documents. It also includes correspondence written by Peltier, photographs of Peltier and correspondence written about the case. Further, there are press and media materials including articles, DVDs and audio tapes on the incident at Oglala and Peltier's trial. Lastly, there are documents on various campaigns to free Peltier, including color slides, flyers, pamphlets and photographs of demonstrations
American Indian Movement and Indigenous Civil and Human Rights Movement series shows Robideau's activism. It contains articles, correspondence, flyers, interviews, pamphlets, photographs, newsletter, reports, and slides. A few examples of his Native American activism in the collection are papers on Big Mountain- opposition to Navajo-Hopi Relocation Act, and a campaign for the survival of the Hupa tribe. The series also houses Freedom of Information Act released FBI documents on AIM leaders including David Hill, Dennis Banks, and Russ Redner and in particular Anna Mae Aquash. The materials include articles, correspondence, and interviews related to her murder. An example of Robideau's involvement in the Indigenous Civil and Human Rights Movement is his participation in the struggle for Puerto Rican independence including articles, photographs, and flyers from the Independence for Puerto Rico Forum.
