The California Frontier Project

  • About
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • Teacher Membership
  • Podcast
  • Shop/Support
    • Books
    • T-shirts/mugs

Why Did Native Americans Come to the California Missions?

By Damian Bacich

Why Did Native Americans Come to the Missions?

Native Americans came to the California missions for a variety of reasons. Some of these were: protection from their enemies, access to stable food sources, attraction to Spanish culture and religion, fear of Spanish weapons and a desire to stay together with their clans and kin. Were Native Americans Forced to Enter the California Missions? […]

Filed Under: California Indians, Indians featured, Native Americans, Resources, Spanish Missions Tagged With: Native Americans, spanish missions

Life at a California Mission: A Native American Perspective

By Damian Bacich

In the 1830’s, a young man named Pablo Tac wrote about his experiences growing up at Mission San Luis Rey. It is one of the only firsthand accounts written by a Native American who lived at a mission.

Filed Under: 4th Grade, California Indians, Daily Lives, Indians featured, Native Americans, Primary Sources, Resources Tagged With: Agapito Amamix, Antonio Peyri, California Indians (Standard 1), Daily Lives (Standard 5), Luiseño, Native Americans, Pablo Tac, Pala, Primary Sources, San Diego

Native American Life at the California Missions: An Overview

By Damian Bacich

Indian Life at the California Missions

How did native people live at the Spanish missions in Alta California? What were their jobs? What did they eat? An in-depth look at Native American life in the California missions.

Filed Under: 4th Grade, California Indians, Daily Lives, Indians featured, Spanish Missions Tagged With: California Indians (Standard 1), Daily Lives (Standard 5), Native American Jobs

Native Americans of the California Missions: Territories, Affiliations and Descendants

By Damian Bacich

California Indians: Mission-Affiliated Groups

Native American Tribes of the California Missions

Filed Under: California Indians, Indians featured Tagged With: Acjachemem, Barbareño, California Indians (Standard 1), Canalino, Chumash, Costanoan, Diegueño, Esselen, Fernandeño, Gabrielino, Ipai, Juaneño, Kumeyaay, Luiseño, Miwok, Mutsun, Obispeño, Ohlone, Patwin, Purisimeño, Quechnajuichom, Rumsen, Salinan, Suisunes, Tataviem, Tipai, Tongva, Ventureño, Wappo, Wintu, Yneseño, Yokuts

I’m Dr. Damian Bacich, and I started the California Frontier Project. Learn more about me and the project here.

Teaching Materials for the Whole Year

Alta California Tees and More

Alta California T-shirt

Copyright © 2023 · Damian Bacich