The story of Native American spirituality and its interactions with Christianity is one of deep complexity—marked by both profound conflict and surprising harmony. Long before European settlers arrived in North America, Native American tribes practiced rich and diverse spiritual traditions rooted in nature, ancestors, and the sacredness of the land. These beliefs were woven into every aspect of life: community, storytelling, hunting, healing, and governance.
Each tribe had its own spiritual customs. The Lakota spoke of the Great Spirit (Wakan Tanka), the Navajo practiced Hózhó—a philosophy of harmony and balance—and the Iroquois Confederacy revered a Creator and followed spiritual laws passed down through oral traditions. Their ceremonies involved dances, chants, fasting, and rituals that connected them with the spirit world. To Native Americans, the earth was not a resource—it was a living relative.
With the arrival of European colonizers in the 16th and 17th centuries came a new and foreign force: Christianity. Missionaries from Spain, France, and later England and America began evangelizing Native peoples. While some missionaries sincerely hoped to share the Gospel out of love, others saw the conversion of Native peoples as a tool for cultural assimilation. Christianity was often presented not just as a faith, but as part of a “civilized” lifestyle that rejected Native languages, dress, and rituals.
The resulting centuries of missionary efforts had mixed outcomes. In some regions, such as among the Pueblo tribes of the Southwest, Catholic missionaries blended Native customs with Christian teachings, leading to a kind of hybrid faith. Elsewhere, however, particularly in the 19th and early 20th centuries, Christian missions were tightly bound to federal policies of forced assimilation.
One of the darkest chapters of this interaction occurred through the Indian boarding school system, begun in the late 1800s. Children were taken—often forcibly—from their homes and placed in schools run by Christian denominations and the U.S. government. There, they were forbidden from speaking their languages or practicing their traditions. Though many of these schools professed Christian charity, they often became places of emotional, spiritual, and sometimes physical harm. The motto of one school, “Kill the Indian, Save the Man,” reflected the tragic mindset behind these institutions.
Despite such trauma, Native Americans did not abandon their spiritual identities. Many adopted Christianity on their own terms, interpreting the Bible through the lens of their traditional beliefs. For example, some embraced Jesus as a great healer and prophet but retained a deep respect for creation and tribal customs. Over time, Native-led Christian movements began to flourish. The Native American Church, founded in the late 19th century, combined Christian themes with traditional practices like the sacramental use of peyote. It became a way for Native communities to preserve spiritual identity while engaging with Christian faith.
Today, the legacy of these spiritual interactions is still unfolding. Many Native Americans identify as both Christian and practitioners of tribal spirituality. Others reject Christianity due to its association with colonization. And yet, some are reclaiming both—a Christ who walks with them on sacred ground, and a faith that respects their cultural roots.
Modern Native Christian leaders are playing a vital role in reconciliation—acknowledging past wounds while advocating for a faith that uplifts Native dignity. Efforts are being made to translate Scripture into Native languages, support cultural revitalization, and create worship practices that honor indigenous worldviews.
In the tapestry of American history, the spiritual journey of Native Americans stands as a powerful witness—of resilience, adaptation, resistance, and the deep desire to remain connected to the Creator, whether called Wakan Tanka, Yahweh, or simply, the Great Spirit.
