Native Peoples & Missions Modules (4th Grade Teachers)
"In order to better reflect modern understandings of the Mission Era and the relationship between Spanish civil authority, the Catholic Missions and local Indian tribes."
Getting Started with Native Peoples & Mission Modules
Native Peoples & Mission Modules
(SD Catholic Overview)
Purpose of Modules
In 2017, the CA bishops tasked the 12 CA Catholic arch/dioceses to create a curriculum for all CA Catholic school 4th grade students.
These modules were created in partnership with local Indian tribe representatives, diocesan administrators, and St. Mary's Press with 2 primary focus areas in mind:
Ensuring that California Indians are represented throughout the curriculum in a culturally-sensitive and historically accurate manner.
Respecting the genuine holiness and humanity of Saint Junipero Serra and his missionary ministry.
These modules address 4th Grade CA History/Social Studies Standards 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3, and they are a required part of the 4th grade curriculum.
CA Catholic Teacher Course
Access introductory videos, lesson plans, and all resources to get started by completing the short e-course linked below.
Primary Source Presentations
Theresa Jean Ambo, PhD, presented to our Catholic school teachers in May, 2019 on the importance of accurately representing Native nations in CA.
Andrew Galvan is President of The Board of Directors of The Ohlone Indian Tribe, Inc., as well as President of the Board of Directors for the Committee for the Restoration of Mission San Jose. He discusses the history of the CA Catholic school Native Peoples & Mission project (7 min.)
Resources to Support Implementation