1. Laborers: Native Americans provided much of the labor necessary for the construction and maintenance of the mission. They performed various tasks such as building adobe structures, cultivating fields, tending to livestock, and participating in other agricultural activities.
2. Artisans: Skilled Native American artisans contributed their talents to the mission's artistic endeavors. They crafted religious objects, decorated the mission's interior with intricate artwork, and produced various goods such as pottery, textiles, and baskets.
3. Religious Converts: The missionaries sought to convert Native Americans to Catholicism, and some embraced Christianity. These converts played a significant role in spreading the Catholic faith among their respective communities.
4. Cultural Mediators: Native Americans acted as intermediaries between the Spanish missionaries and their respective communities. They facilitated communication, interpreted cultural practices and beliefs, and helped bridge cultural divides.
5. Language Teachers: Native Americans taught the Spanish missionaries their languages, enabling better communication and cultural understanding between the two groups.
6. Healers and Medicine People: Native American healers shared their knowledge of traditional medicine with the missionaries. They provided healthcare and remedies to both the Indigenous population and the Spanish settlers.
7. Interpreters: In addition to language teaching, Native Americans served as interpreters during interactions with other Indigenous groups or during diplomatic missions.
8. Domestic Workers: Native American women in particular often performed domestic tasks such as cleaning, cooking, and caring for the children of Spanish settlers.
It's important to note that while these roles provided opportunities for cultural exchange and collaboration, the mission system also had a profound impact on Native American societies, often resulting in the loss of traditional lifestyles, cultural practices, and autonomy.
