California was originally inhabited by what we now call Native Americans. In 1542 the Spaniard Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo (Ka-bree-o) landed in the bay of San Diego. He christened the area Alta California.
In 1769 Spanish Father Junipero Sierra established what would be the first of 21 missions heading up the coast of California with the objective of evangelizing the natives. In their earnest attempt to impart their religious beliefs on another people, they tried to strip them of their culture and "civilize" them. Many natives died from disease and poor living conditions. Treatment could be very harsh.
Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá- 1st
Our children learn about the mission system in 4th grade. It was always my favorite year of the kids schooling because each child learns state history and does a report or a replica of the mission of their choice. We would pack up the family and go to see a few and let them pick which would be their focus. The surviving missions are the oldest structures in the state.
Mission San Buenaventura-#6 Located in my city of Ventura
Some of the missions, like the one in Santa Barbara, are in full splendor while others need a lot of work. I suppose it has to do with the community that surrounds them; their wealth and historical societies.
Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad-#13 of 21
While most of the mission docent tours have given good historical background from the church's point of view, only in more recent times are they giving in depth accounts of the sometimes brutal treatment of the indigenous people or of their attempts to get out from under the thumb of the church.
I love the missions but I think that the lessons should be complete in detailing the good and the bad.
In my view, we are only going to succeed when we hear the voices of the people who are voiceless. We only able learn from the past if we are brave and caring enough to look for the forgotten or the marginalized.
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