Everything lived in harmony together and made up the world they knew. .
When the European settlers arrived in America, their western way of life completely clashed with Native American culture. Their religion was different, their language was different, and even their clothing and food was entirely different. These two cultures were so contrasting, many Europeans believed that "Indians were animals in human form that needed to be turned fully human by conversion to the Faith" (Castillo 36). Both cultures were unlike anything either one had ever experienced before. One of the main goals of the settlers was to spread religion and convert those who did not believe in their ways. They began to establish missionaries where Indians would often work and live. Missionary life was highly unpleasant for the natives, however. The death toll in missions was extremely high and traditional culture was completely stripped from the Indians. They were being forced to practice Christianity, wear westernized clothes, and completely change their diet. The Native Americans were only adapted to the diet of natural foods and had never been introduced to the sugary and starchy foods of western cultures. This resulted in poor health and sickness among the Indian people. Often times, women and girls were locked up in unsanitary dormitories at night which also led to sickness and death among the Indians who were living at the missions (Castillo 78). While life had completely changed for them, Native Americans still tried to keep their culture alive in the missions by continuing their traditional healing and funeral ceremonies. Dancing was also a major practice which helped keep their culture surviving. Even though they still had these practices with them, the traditional way of life was being diminished due to the settlers. .
Other than these changes in culture, the settlers also brought along disease that the Native Americans had never before encountered which caused many deaths among the native population.
