What jobs did tribes have?

No matter where Native American tribes lived in America, there was a lot of work to be done to survive. They had to hunt, farm, prepare food for the winter, build homes, make their own clothing, and protect themselves from their enemies.

What did Native American missions do?

The missions created new communities where the Native Americans received religious education and instruction. The Spanish established pueblos (towns) and presidios (forts) for protection. The natives lived in the missions until their religious training was complete.

Why was Santa Cruz Mission built?

The location for their 12th mission was chosen because it would allow them access to the coastal tribes that had remained out of the reach of the prosperous Mission Santa Clara, isolated as they were by the steep, thickly forested Santa Cruz Mountains.

What did the Indians do at the mission?

Most of the jobs on the mission involved planting and harvesting crops. Because each crop had its own season, the tasks the Indians carried out would change throughout the year. This was the case both before and after they entered the mission, as the padres pointed out:

What did the Indians do for a living?

Since most crops the missions grew were seasonal, the agricultural tasks the Indians carried out would change throughout the year. From December through March, for example, it was time to sow seeds. In April and May, it would be time for shearing sheep, branding cattle and other livestock-related jobs.

Where was Indian life at the California missions?

It is located along the Carmel River (Río Carmelo in Spanish) not far from Monterey Bay, about two and a half hours south of San Francisco. For a general overview of daily life for native people at the California missions, read Indian Life at the California Missions.

What did people do at Mission San Gabriel?

Tanning hides was a very important job at most missions. These are the original tannery vats from Mission San Gabriel. Photo: Damian Bacich/CaliforniaFrontier.net. Most of the jobs on the mission involved planting and harvesting crops.