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***[THE KINO STORY]{.underline}***

The video gives a basic, easily understood account of Father Kino and
his impact on the people and the environment of the Pimeria Alta. It
relates to the area's inhabitants, the arrival of Father Kino, the
mission system he established and his explorations. It is an excellent
introduction to Father Kino and the history of the Pimeria Alta.
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***[BACKGROUND INFORMATION]{.underline}***

***(Note: Answers to discussion questions are italicized and
numbered.)***

*Eusebio Francisco Kino was born on August 10, 1645 in Segno, Italy*
[**(1)**,]{.smallcaps} a small village. He grew up in an affluent
family. His parents, recognizing his abilities, sent him to the Jesuit
college in nearby Trent. He continued his studies at Hall near
Innsbruck, Austria. *During his studies, he fell seriously ill and vowed
that if his patron, Saint Frances Xavier, would intercede, he would
devote his life to the church* **(2)**. He regained his health and
joined the Society of Jesus, or the Jesuits.

Father Kino completed his education in mathematics, with an interest in
astronomy and cartography. In addition, he spent thirteen years pursuing
religious studies with the Society. Upon completion, *Father Kino looked
forward to serving as a missionary in China* **(3)**. But fate did not
fulfill his dream. Upon drawing lots, *Father Kino was destined for
Mexico* **(3)**.

As a missionary, *Father Kino's main work was to convert the Indians to
Christianity* **(4)**. The way in which he and his Jesuit contemporaries
did this was by education. For the most part, the Jesuits befriended the
Indians and took time to learn their

language and their culture. It was primarily through this interpersonal
connection that Father Kino made his converts. Although pledged to the
Pope and the church, the Jesuits were also loyal vassals of the King and
the Spanish government who had their own goal of *converting the Indians
into accculturated Spanish citizens. Often, however, it did not work
that way.* **(4)**. The idea was that the Crown would finance the
missionaries for up to 10 years, at which time their church community
would be self sufficient and tax paying. Of course, it never worked that
way!

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Traveling in the seventeenth century was no easy task. Father Kino set
out in 1678 to Cadiz, Spain, with hopes of catching a "*flota*" for the
new world. Unfortunately, bad navigation caused a delay, forcing Father
Kino and his companions to miss the fleet. He waited two years before he
was able to book another passage. He used his time wisely though,
brushing up on Spanish. The day finally came when Father Kino and his
Jesuit brethren went to sail on the ship "Nazareno," only to become
grounded and battered on a sand bar just outside of the Bay of Cadiz. He
waited another six months before he finally got his passage.

Upon arrival in New Spain, Father Kino went to Mexico City to await
instruction. Two years later he got his first assignment, working in La
Paz, Baja California. Unlike any of his predecessors, Father Kino was
successful there in his work with the Guaicuro Indians. This was short
lived, however. A group of soldiers invited a group of Indians suspected
of stealing to a meal of peace. The soldiers fired on the Indians.
Colonists, military personnel and missionaries had to flee for their
lives. With their backs to the sea, they barely escaped when a relief
ship arrived just in time.

Regrouping on the mainland, Father Kino and the expedition landed to the
north at San Bruno, where he spent the next year administering to the
physical and spiritual needs of the Indians. But as the sprouting
community was finally becoming established, the harsh environment took
its toll. Plagued by drought, crop failure and widespread disease, the
powers-that-were decided that the project should be abandoned. Father
Kino returned to Mexico City to plead for the Crown's support in
returning to Baja but to no avail. The Spanish colonization of Baja was
over, at least for the present, but Father Kino was steadfast in his
goal to get back there. He finally got permission to work close to Baja
California among Seris and Guaymas Indians. But fate took another turn
when Father Kino's superiors decided to send him north, to the area
known as *the Pimeria Alta, or the upper (more northern) lands of the
Piman Indians* **(5)**.

On March 13, 1687, Father Kino rode into Cucurpe, Sonora ("Place where
the dove sings"). On that very day *he founded his first mission,
Nuestra Senora de los Dolores* **(6)** at Cosari, not far from Cucurpe.
Thus, his *Lady* *of Sorrows Mission* became Father Kino's home and base
camp for the remainder of his life.

Father Kino's work was plagued by envious priests, hostile mine owners
and incompetent military officials. A few other missionaries, jealous of
Father Kino's success, spread rumors and criticized his credibility,
finally forcing his superiors to investigate the allegations. Father
Salvatierra was sent, only to return with glowing reports of Father Kino
and his work. The mine owners, however, continued to be hostile to
Father Kino, as they were to most Jesuits. They had once been able to
exploit the Indians to work in the mines. Now the mine owners were
restricted in their practice of forced labor by the justice seeking
Jesuits who were often referred to as "Indian lovers." It was the
military, however, that seemed to have done the most damage to the
Indian and Spanish relationship. In 1695 a small rebellion broke out at
Tubutama caused by superstitious misinterpretations of mission policy.
It resulted in discontented Indians burning and ravaging fields and
pueblos all along the Altar River. The uprising quickly spread
downstream to Caborca, where the locally beloved Father Saeta was
murdered, making him the first martyr in the Pimeria Alta. In an attempt
to rectify the tense situation, Father Kino requested that O'odham
chiefs meet with military personnel. This resulted in the chiefs turning
over the guilty, who were judged and beheaded on site by an over zealous
lieutenant. The fighting continued, and although short-lived, it
destroyed much of the work and trust Father Kino and his contemporaries
had labored so hard to develop.

Three months after the 1695 revolt subsided, Father Kino rode to Mexico
City to once again make his plea to expand his work to Baja California.
His arguments were heard and finally approved. He returned with a small
crew to assist with the colonization of Baja California. But Father
Kino's return and his new ideas met with resistance. Although some of
his contemporaries continued to challenge him and were happy to hear
that he was leaving, the majority, including his superiors, realized
that Father Kino was an essential person in the Pimeria Alta. Frantic
letters poured into Mexico City in protest of Father Kino's new Baja
California assignment. He was needed to rebuild the Pimeria Alta. So it
was that enroute to his new commission, he was met by a courier with
orders from the Viceroy to return to the Pimeria. The people needed him,
and the Crown agreed to support him with promises of supplies and
military escorts.

![](media/image4.emf){width="2.970138888888889in"
height="2.2944444444444443in"}Father Kino continued to work in and
expand the area of the Pimeria Alta, working with various tribes
including the *Akimel O'odham (Pima or River People), Tohono O'odham
(Papago or Desert People), Sobas, Cocomaricopas, Opas and Yumas. With
each of these peoples Father Kino earned a reputation of respect and
reverence. He was known to be kind, generous, intelligent and hard
working. His horsemanship was also noteworthy. Bolton also mentions a
story about how the "Padre on Horseback" could ride 50 to 75 miles a
day* **(7)(8)**.

Father Kino's travels took him north to the Gila River (just south of
present-day Phoenix), east to the San Pedro River Valley and the border
of Apache lands, and west to the Colorado river. During one of his
ventures he was given a gift of blue abalone shells which he recalled
seeing in Baja California. Father Kino began tracing the origins of the
shells. Finally convinced that the blue shells were directly traded with
the desert Indians, *he made a series of expeditions to prove that Baja
was not an island as it was believed to be, but a penisula* **(9)**; a
discovery that became a landmark in the colonization of California.

*Father Kino continued his work until 1711 when, at 66 years of age he
went to Magdalena to dedicate a new chapel. After the Mass of dedication
he fell fatally ill. At midnight on March 15, 1711, he passed away.
Father Father Kino was buried in a chapel near the church at Magdelena*
**(10)**, his gravesite eventually lost in the tumultuous history of
Mexico. In 1966, excavations were conducted at Magdelena to find Father
Kino's grave. The site now stands as a monument to the Father of the
Pimeria Alta.

Father Kino left a rich legacy behind him**.** *He was the first to
explore and map the Pimeria Alta while establishing over twenty missions
including Caborca, Cocospera, Guevavi, Magdelena, San Ignacio, San
Xavier, Tubutama, and Tumacacori* **(6)**. He was known to be
compassionate, under-standing, a scholar, a great horseman, and
knowledgeable about agriculture and other practical subjects. He earned
the respect of the native people, his collegues, and his superiors. He
is still well known today, his

accomplishments recognized by many.
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***[ACTIVITY]{.underline}***

\- Hand-out the "Kino Story - Discussion Questions" (**Master Page III -
6**) to your students and briefly read over them. Encourage the students
to try to remember the answers during the film.

\- Show the video to your students. Review each of the discussion
questions with students. Allow them to individually answer the
questions.

\- Collect and utilize the discussion questions as an "open test,"
evaluating the students on overall comprehension,

writing skills, and if appropriate, neatness.

**[KINO STORY - DISCUSSION QUESTIONS]{.underline}**

1\. Where was Father Kino born? What was his full name?

2\. Why did Father Kino decide to become a missionary?

3\. Where did Father Kino dream about going as a missionary? Where was
he actually sent?

4\. What were the two jobs that Father Kino was given to do as a
missionary?

5\. What does "Pimeria Alta" mean?

6\. What was the name of Father Kino\'s first mission? Name at least
three other of Father Kino\'s missions.

7\. What did the Indians think about Father Kino?

8\. Name at least three native peoples that lived in the Pimeria Alta
during Father Kino\'s life.

9\. What major discovery did Father Kino make concerning California?

10\. How old was Father Kino when he died? Where did he die? Where is
his grave?