Elias Castillo – “A Cross of Thorns: The Enslavement of California’s Indians”

Elias Castillo discusses “A Cross of Thorns: The Enslavement of California’s Indians by the Spanish Missions”

Author Elias Castillo shatters the image of California’s Missions as idyllic places where Franciscan friars and Indians lived in an environment of mutual respect. In reality, the Missions were death camps where more than 60,000 Indian workers died, many as a result of whippings, disease, and malnutrition.

The book is the result of more than six years of research and study of original documents including eyewitness accounts by early travelers, records kept by the friars, and historic letters by church and government authorities in Alta California and Mexico.

A Cross of Thorns delivers a damning indictment of the enslavement of California’s Indians by the Spanish Missions. It is especially timely in light of the fact that the Pope has said he plans to declare Father Junipero Serra a saint. Serra was the key founder of California’s Spanish missions. Serra has been sharply criticized by Native Americans for his role in their abuse and genocidal treatment.

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