MISSION INDIANS

the coastal Indians of southern and central California among whom Spanish Franciscans established 21 missions between 1769 and 1823. The major groups were, from south to north, the Diegueo, Luiseo, Juaneo, Gabrielino, Chumash, and Costanoan (qq.v.). The role of the missions, in addition to spreading the Roman Catholic faith, was to act as civilizing agents for the Spanish monarchy; however, beyond some instruction in the Spanish language, Christian dogma, and hymn singing, the Indians seem to have received little formal education. They were discouraged from leaving the mission area and encouraged to tend farms, to herd, and to learn trades. Many were converted, many died of European diseases, and many became fatally dependent upon the missions. When the authority of the missions was officially ended by the Mexican government in 1834, many of the Indians were left adrift. By law they were promised rights of citizenship and one-half of all former mission property; but, shorn of protection, many were exploited and despoiled by speculators. A few, however, became successfully assimilated within the Mexican system. A few, like the Agua Caliente band, became relatively wealthy in the 20th century, selling and leasing land for the elite resort of Palm Springs.