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? Many people assume Indian people entered the California missions because they were forced to. There were times that Native Americans were forced to return to the missions after they joined. But both Spanish law and Catholic Church law made it clear that Native Americans were not to be forced to enter the missions against their…