California Missions Through Native American Perspectives

California Missions Through Native American Perspectives

Grades 3-5 Curriculum Unit 

Lessons

California Missions Through Native American Perspectives Unit 1

Exploring California Indian History with the CIMCC CA Missions Native Website
California Missions Through Native American Perspectives Unit 2

Cultural Preservation Posters
California Missions Through Native American Perspectives Unit 3

California Missions Through Indigenous Eyes Project-Based Learning Virtual Exhibit Project
California Missions Through Native American Perspectives Unit 1

Debating the Impacts of California Missions on Native Americans
California Missions Through Native American Perspectives Unit 2

Exploring California Missions Through Native American Perspectives Mission Field Trip Guide
California Missions Through Native American Perspectives Unit 3

Project-Based Learning on California Missions and Native Americans
Unit Core Themes: Indigenous Knowledge, Ecology, Cultural Stewardship, Cross-Curricular Learning

Unit Summary

 

This unit explores the history and lasting impact of the California mission system through the lens California Native perspectives, using the California Indian Museum and Cultural Center’s CA Missions Native website. Students will examine California Indian cultures before and during the mission period, analyze how missions disrupted Indigenous lifeways, and investigate how Native communities resisted and survived. Through guided research and critical inquiry, students will deepen their understanding of Indigenous resilience, historical memory, and the importance of Native-led institutions in preserving culture and truth-telling.