The John C. Rouillard Papers document Rouillard’s tenure with the American Indian Studies department, as well as his participation in and involvement with numerous Native American organizations, councils, and committees. The collection includes correspondence, lectures, notes, memorandums, reports, studies, conference material, and proposals.  The majority of the material focuses on Rouillard’s membership in various organizations regarding Native American education. The collection is divided into three series: General Files, Study Files, and Organizational Files.

The General Files (1971-1983) document Rouillard’s academic interests and activities while serving as chair of the American Indian Studies department. Of particular interest are the lectures in Rouillard’s "personal file" that include information about the creation of the department, as well as Rouillad’s philosophies and techniques pertaining to Native American education.  Arranged alphabetically, this series also includes correspondence, conference materials, memorandums, notes, manuscripts, and reports.

The Study Files (1976-1981) document Rouillard’s participation in several studies related to his work and the development of Native American education. These studies include correspondence, court briefs, minutes, agendas, hearings, reports, memorandums, and position papers. This series is arranged alphabetically by study title. Of particular interest are the disease and health care statistics for Native Americans in the feasibility study for a Native American medical school.

The Organizational Files (1972-1982) document Rouillard’s membership and activities with various Native American-related organizations, commissions, councils, and boards during the 1970s. The series includes meeting minutes, reports, correspondence, and memorandums. The series is divided into eight sub-series:  California Indian Education Association Files (1972-1978), the California Postsecondary Education Commission Files (1975-1979), the Coalition of Indian-Controlled Schools Board Files (1976-1977), the Commission for Teacher Preparation and Licensing Files (1971-1973), the Indian Policy Review Commission Files (1976), the National Advisory Council on Indian Education Files (1979-1982), the National Indian Education Association Files (1979-1981), and the San Diego City Schools Community Advisory Committee Files (1978). Of note are the Community Advisory Committee files, which include cultural elementary school lesson plans dating from the late 1970s.  Committee members were tasked with editing, commenting, and making recommendations for these plans.