Anderson's American Indian Movement papers contain correspondence, news clippings, articles, audio and video tapes, posters, t-shirts and other memorabilia. Anderson's FBI files, requested under the Freedom of Information Act are also included in the collection. The collection covers the time period from the Wounded Knee occupation in 1973 until 1996.
The collection focuses on Native American and indigenous issues, emphasizing the American Indian Movement's activities and personalities which include Leonard Peltier, Russell Means, Dennis Banks, Anna Mae Aquash, Robert Robideau, Vernon and Clyde Bellecourt, and Tim Giago, editor of Indian Country Today. Much of the materials pertain to the Wounded Knee occupation and its fallout.
Materials in the collection also reference Native American perspectives on the Columbian Quincentenary, the Trail of Broken Treaties resolution, the International Indian Treaty Council, nuclear/environmental issues affecting tribal lands, Native American sovereignty, religious freedom, Native American representation, etc. Issues such as United States counter-intelligence operations, and the "workings" of the F.B.I. are illuminated via materials in this collection.
CDs in the collection consist of recordings made during and about the Wounded Knee occupation, as well as a recorded talk by Russell Means. Audio tapes of the 20 year reunion of Vietnam Veterans Against the War, present at the occupation of Wounded Knee are restricted. Copies of CDs for patron use are in box 3 of the collection.
In August 2009 CDs containing an interview with Robert Anderson were added to the collection. The interview questions used by Matthias Voigt are included.
