How did the Catholic Church interact with the Pueblo Indians regarding mining?

The relationship between the Catholic Church and the Pueblo Indians concerning mining was characterized by complex dynamics of both conversion and exploitation. The assertion that the church enslaved Pueblo individuals to work in the mines reflects a historical reality where indigenous peoples were often coerced into labor under the guise of religious and economic missions. Following Spanish colonization, the Church, intending to convert the Pueblo Indians to Christianity, sometimes utilized forced labor in mining operations as part of a broader strategy of resource extraction and economic development.

While the church may have provided some societal structure and education within their missions, the concept of enslavement directly addresses the pivotal aspect of control over labor and resources during the colonial period. Thus, this answer highlights a more explicit and contentious aspect of how the Catholic Church interacted with the Pueblo communities in the context of mining, illustrating both the power dynamics and consequences of colonization.

Establishing schools, sharing wealth, or shunning rumors of gold would not aptly convey the historical realities faced by the Pueblo Indians in relation to the mining industry and the role of the Catholic Church during Spanish colonization.