Men:
1. Native American Conversion: Men were often involved in the religious conversion of Native Americans to Catholicism. They worked with priests and other missionaries to teach indigenous peoples about Christian teachings and practices.
2. Farming: Men were responsible for farming and agricultural labor. They grew crops such as wheat, corn, and various fruits to sustain the mission and provide for the community's needs.
3. Building and Construction: Men engaged in building and construction projects. They constructed mission structures, including the church, living quarters, workshops, and other facilities necessary for the mission's functioning.
4. Livestock Care: Men took care of livestock such as cattle, sheep, and horses. They tended to the animals, managed their grazing, and used them for transportation and agricultural purposes.
5. Trade and Barter: Male missionaries often engaged in trade and barter with neighboring communities and Native American groups. They exchanged mission goods for food, materials, and other necessary items.
Women:
1. Native American Education: Women played a significant role in educating Native American women and girls. They taught them skills such as spinning, weaving, sewing, and cooking, essential for their daily lives.
2. Domestic Duties: Women carried out domestic duties, such as cooking, cleaning, and caring for the mission's residents. They managed household chores and maintained a clean and orderly living environment.
3. Native Healthcare: Women were often involved in providing basic healthcare to the mission's community members. They used traditional healing methods and medicinal herbs to treat various ailments.
4. Religious Instruction: Women supported religious instruction and participated in religious observances. They attended mass, taught prayers and religious practices to Native American women and children, and contributed to the spiritual life of the mission community.
5. Artistic Contributions: Women expressed their artistic talents through crafts such as pottery, weaving, and embroidery. Their creations often had both practical and decorative purposes.
Children:
1. Early Religious Training: Children received early religious training and moral education at the mission. They attended religious services, learned prayers, and were introduced to basic Catholic beliefs and practices.
2. Vocational Training: Children began vocational training at a young age. Boys learned skills from male missionaries, such as farming, carpentry, blacksmithing, and animal husbandry. Girls learned domestic tasks and crafts from female missionaries.
3. Language Learning: Children played an important role in the mission's language assimilation process. They often became bilingual, learning both their native language and Spanish. This facilitated communication between missionaries and Native Americans.
4. Cultural Exchange: As children grew up at the mission, they became cultural mediators, blending elements of their Native American heritage with the Spanish and Catholic influences of the mission community.
These roles and activities collectively contributed to the social, economic, and religious development of the mission community, helping sustain the mission's presence and objectives in the region.
