<P> Christianity was seen by government officials as a tool in cultural assimilation ; many Native American Christians developed a syncretic combination of their traditional belief systems and Christianity , as with the Native American Church . For example , St. David Pendleton Oakerhater ( Cheyenne ) , who was canonized as an Episcopal saint but was a Sun Dancer , as well . According to James Treat , Native American Christians `` have constructed and maintained their ... religious identities with a variety of considerations in mind ... Many native Christians accomplish this identification without abandoning or rejecting native religious traditions . '' </P>
<P> Christianity was seen by government officials as a tool in cultural assimilation ; many Native American Christians developed a syncretic combination of their traditional belief systems and Christianity , as with the Native American Church . For example , St. David Pendleton Oakerhater ( Cheyenne ) , who was canonized as an Episcopal saint but was a Sun Dancer , as well . According to James Treat , Native American Christians `` have constructed and maintained their ... religious identities with a variety of considerations in mind ... Many native Christians accomplish this identification without abandoning or rejecting native religious traditions . '' </P>
native american religions were closely linked to what
native american religions were closely linked to what
Christianity
Christianity