The working conditions of Native Americans in missions in California during the Spanish colonization were often harsh and exploitative. Natives were forcibly relocated to missions, where they were subjected to a regimen that included labor-intensive tasks such as farming, ranching, and skilled crafts.
They lived in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, facing harsh discipline and limited personal freedoms. The missions aimed to convert them to Christianity and European agricultural practices, often at the cost of their traditional cultures and lifestyles. Many Natives suffered from malnutrition, disease, and harsh treatment, leading to significant population declines due to illness and mortality. Overall, their experiences at the missions reflected a system of forced labor and cultural suppression.