The Impacts of California Missions on Native Americans

Author: This unit was  researched, authored, and edited by the California Indian Museum and Cultural Center, California Indian Education for All, and the San Diego County Office of Education. Key writers and researchers of this unit are Cristapher Torres, Greg Hinchliff, Scott Bankert, Debbie Reese, Jean Mendoza and Taylor Melgoza.  The unit resources were designed and created from funding through the California Department of Education’s Native American Studies Model Curriculum grant and contract.

Grades: 8th-12th grade

Suggested Amount of Time: 90 minutes

Curriculum Themes

• History
• Cultural Strengths
• Law/Government
• Relationship to Place
• Cross Curricular Integration

Learning Goals

Students will:

• Explore the historical context and purpose of the California missions.

• Examine the effects of the mission system on Native American communities, including cultural, social, and environmental impacts.

• Evaluate diverse perspectives on the mission system.

• Develop empathy and critical thinking skills by analyzing primary and secondary sources.

Lesson Overview