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The California Missions Through Indigenous Eyes

The memorial, erected in 1997, honors those buried at the site between 1791 and 1852.

Most people living in California—whether they grew up here or just moved here—don’t really know the story behind these places.

If the East Coast was shaped by colonization, the West Coast was shaped by missionization. The Spanish brought Christianity, especially Catholicism, and that became a huge part of California’s identity.


The image shows a pastoral scene from the early 19th century, highlighting the interaction between the Spanish mission and the native landscape and inhabitants. 

But here’s the thing—we shouldn’t romanticize it.

These beautiful missions weren’t built by miracles. They were built by the blood, sweat, and forced labor of Native Americans whose stories deserve to be remembered too.

The scene shows Ohlone men performing a traditional dance with feathered headdresses and body paint in front of the Mission San Francisco de Asís (Mission Dolores).
The scene depicts Costanoan (Ohlone) people defending against a Spanish dragoon soldier in Monterey, California.
For many, a church bell calls people to worship. For many Native Americans, it also echoes a painful history of forced conversion, cultural erasure, and loss. The ugliest sound isn’t the bell itself—it’s the history it represents.

That’s why every time I visit a mission, I don’t just admire the architecture or attend Mass. I also take a moment to say a prayer for the Indigenous people who suffered and sacrificed here.

This is a kiiy, the traditional dome-shaped dwelling of the Tongva (Gabrielino) people.
This bronze sculpture is recognized as “Chief Wolf Robe” or “Standing Bear” by the Austrian artist Carl Kauba.
It depicts a Native American chief holding a peace pipe and a blanket, typically mounted on a marble or slate base.

History isn’t just about celebrating the beautiful parts—it’s about remembering the hard truths too.

21 missions. One journey. Countless stories worth telling. 🤍

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